Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2018

Four times, lawmakers on Monday gave the state’s top medical marijuana regulator an opportunity to speak on their objections to rules and regulations on the drug. And four times, Christian Bax said nothing because it wasn’t yet time to do so, he later explained. “The department has 30 days in order to respond,” Bax, director of […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 16, 2018

Democrat Lauren Baer announced Tuesday that her campaign to unseat freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast had picked up support from five elected officials and local leaders within Florida’s 18th Congressional District. The bulk endorsement included nods from state Sen. Kevin Rader, state Rep. Matt Willhite, West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Palm Beach County […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 16, 2018

Conservative group Americans for Prosperity-Florida released its priority list for the 2018 Legislative Session, giving favorable marks to legislation that would cut “corporate welfare” and regulations and voicing strong opposition to proposals that would add new regulations or incentives silos. “We believe that Florida lawmakers have an unprecedented opportunity to push through policy objectives that […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2018

A Democratic state Senator from South Florida has filed legislation expressly allowing dog trainers to give anabolic steroids to racing greyhounds. The bill (SB 1774), filed Friday afternoon by Kevin Rader of Delray Beach, is for the 2018 Legislative Session that begins Tuesday. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 tracks. The measure […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 4, 2018

Former Margate Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Thursday that 19 Democratic state lawmakers have endorsed him in the chief financial officer race. “From the very beginning I have believed that our campaign is all about people power,” Ring said. “I am proud to have the support of each and every one of these legislators. Over the […]

Staff ReportsNovember 27, 2017

Last week, more than 25 Democratic legislative leaders from Palm Beach County and the state announced endorsing state Rep. Lori Berman in her bid for Senate District 31. Among those lining up behind Berman, a Lantana Democrat who represents HD 90, are Congressman Ted Deutch of Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, former Congressmen Patrick Murphy and […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2017

The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus on Thursday called white nationalist Richard Spencer, set to speak at the University of Florida later today, a “a vile, racist, carnival barker.” Spencer’s “traveling circus of ignorance-fueled hatred is inhabited by insecure clowns unable to come to terms with a changing world,” according to a statement. “His ideology is that […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 26, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Jonathan Capps became a legislative analyst for the Senate Majority Office. Off and on: Staff director Jennifer Hrdlicka has moved from the Senate Criminal Justice to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. Lauren Jones replaces Hrdlicka on […]

Jim RosicaJune 9, 2017

The state Senate passed its medical marijuana implementation bill on Friday, the last scheduled day of the Special Session. The measure (SB 8-A), after technical and “product safety” amendments were tacked on, was approved by a 28-8 vote. Senators also passed, 36-0, a related public records bill exempting the personal identifying information of patient caregivers that […]

Michael MolineMay 4, 2017

Could someone in the Senate please ask Kevin Rader to knock it off? That’s the gist of a letter Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews wrote to Senate general counsel Dawn Roberts last week. “Would you kindly ask Sen. Rader to stop disseminating my client’s picture around the Capitol on stationery that bears the Senate’s seal?” Andrews […]

Medical marijuana regulator’s silence vexes lawmakers

Lauren Baer announces slew of endorsements for CD 18 bid

Americans for Prosperity-Florida releases priority list for 2018 Legislative Session

Kevin Rader files bill to legalize steroids in racing dogs

Jeremy Ring snags a pile of endorsements from state lawmakers

Lori Berman nabs two dozen endorsements in SD 31 bid

‘Wicked hatred’: Jewish lawmakers condemn Richard Spencer

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Senate passes medical marijuana implementation bill

Steve Andrews getting involved in Kevin Rader’s crusade against lobbyist