Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 30, 2018

Legislation aimed at reducing the divorce rate by having couples read a marriage guide before their nuptials is making its way through the Legislature — though at least one Democrat has raised concerns about conservative ideology tainting the document. The “Healthy Marriage Guide” (HB 1323) is sponsored in the House by Republicans Clay Yarborough of Jacksonville […]

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2018

Republican state Rep. Jason Brodeur continued to lead all Central Florida state candidates in campaign fundraising in December, bringing in more than $21,000 for his official, 2020 campaign for the Florida Senate, and another $59,000 for his unofficial Friends of Jason Brodeur political committee. Brodeur’s hauls bring his official fund to about $217,000 raised, with […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2018

Problems with your marriage? Is it unhealthy? The Florida Legislature is willing to help future couples avoid such troubles as they traipse into connubial bliss. Days after Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel filed SB 1580, a bill that would lead to a “guide to a healthy marriage,” a guide that would contain resources addressing “conflict management, communication […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 5, 2017

A testy meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday saw the deaths of three pro-gun bills, including Chairman Greg Steube’s “courthouse carry” push. SB 134, Steube’s bill providing for concealed-carry permit holders to store firearms at courthouses, was joined in failure by Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel’s SB 274 and Steube’s other gun-related bill, SB 148. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 24, 2017

The Senate Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Tuesday approved a bill by Gainesville Republican Sen. Keith Perry that would institute a statewide ban on texting while driving, but not before they and members of the public labelled it as merely the first step toward a hands-free Florida. SB 90 and its House counterpart, […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2017

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Former state Rep. Tom Grady will take Jimmy Patronis‘ place on the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday evening. In picking Grady, a Naples attorney and a friend of Scott’s, the governor passed over the three alternates he previously selected to fill an empty seat on the commission, which will review the state’s governing document […]

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2017

Now that Jimmy Patronis is leaving the Public Service Commission and Constitution Revision Commission to become the state’s next Chief Financial Officer, Gov. Rick Scott has to replace him on those panels. The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council is charged with “screening and nominating applicants for appointment by the Governor to fill vacancies on the […]

Bill RuftyJune 21, 2017

Republican Legislators could find themselves challenged for election next year … by Republican candidates, Polk County Commissioner George Lindsey, a Lakeland Republican, confirmed Wednesday. In an interview before his address to the Polk Tiger Bay members, Lindsey said what he described as legislators’ attacks on home rule and local government, has many even in the […]

Staff ReportsJune 7, 2017

Two senators have asked Senate President Joe Negron to support expanding the call for a special session to override two line-item vetoes. Sens. Denise Grimsley and Kelli Stargel sent a letter to Negron on Wednesday asking for his “assistant and support in expanding the call for Special Session 2017-A to include the veto override of […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 19, 2017

As the sordid story of Sen. Frank Artiles’ Monday night rant, replete with racist and sexist phrases, continues to develop, Florida Senate President Joe Negron issued a punitive action Wednesday morning. Negron removed Artiles from his chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities. Kelli Stargel will replace Artiles. ___ Negron took his time […]

Tag: Kelli Stargel

Ideological dispute erupts as ‘Healthy Marriage Guide’ passes House committee

Jason Brodeur continues to lead Central Florida state Senate candidates in fundraising

As scandal grips Legislature, ‘Guide to a Healthy Marriage’ bill filed in both Houses

Order in the court? ‘Courthouse carry,’ gun bills die in committee

Senate panel says texting ban isn’t enough, but at least it’s something

Rick Scott names Tom Grady to constitutional review panel

Jimmy Patronis’ move to CFO creates PSC, CRC openings

Polk GOP Commissioner warns Republican incumbents may face strong challenges

Denise Grimsley, Kelli Stargel ask Joe Negron to support veto overrides of 2 budget line items

Frank Artiles dropped as Senate committee chair