Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2016

The start of the 2016 Legislative Session means a cessation of political fundraising – sitting lawmakers are barred from ginning up cash while they legislate. But session begins Tuesday, so the Monday before is the usual orgy of tippling, grip-and-grinning and check writing. House Majority 2016, Senate Majority 2016 and others sent out emails last week detailing the various events, subject […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

The last committee week before the 2016 Legislative Session means — what else — a post-Thanksgiving cornucopia of fundraisers. The Republican Party of Florida sent an email last week listing all the events, coinciding with the December committee week, the last one before session begins Jan. 12. In chronological order, here are the events, subject to change and […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2015

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Florida GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee on Tuesday announced a number of bills that would crack down on illegal immigration. Among those bills include HB 675, sponsored by Yalaha House Republican Larry Metz, which would punish so-called “sanctuary” cities that don’t cooperate with federal officials attempting to deport undocumented immigration. It would call for the Attorney General to file […]

Ryan RayOctober 22, 2015

State lawmakers are in Tallahassee for the fourth time this year to amend Senate maps found by courts to contain improper political bias. With little committee action on the calendar Thursday, several majority-party legislators got to work on their priorities ahead of the 2016 Legislative Session, which begins in January. Here’s a quick look at […]

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2015

In advance of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) national meeting which begins Wednesday in San Diego, the good government group Common Cause Florida is calling on two state lawmakers to disclose any corporate or special interest funding that is paying for state lawmakers to travel to the west coast for the meeting. ALEC meetings place business executives with […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

A Legislature crackdown on drones flew out of the House Tuesday with a unanimous vote. SB 766 would prohibit drones – unmanned mini-robots equipped with cameras — from taking pictures on private property without consent. The measure already cleared the Senate, and now is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott. Drones are popping up […]

Peter SchorschApril 23, 2015

A government accountability bill going before the Senate on Friday is vintage former Senate President Sen. Don Gaetz. SB 1372 is a common sense reform proposal that will ruffle a few privileged feathers in order to accomplish a good-government public policy goal: restricting taxpayer-funded “golden parachute” severance packages for hospital employees. But as the bill stands now, it […]

Ryan RayApril 15, 2015

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A lengthy debate over a lobbying ethics reform bill ended with with former Senate President Don Gaetz moving to TP his own bill. The proposal — Gaetz’s SB 1372 — would tighten many restrictions on lobbying in Florida. Most notably, it would hold Gov. Rick Scott‘s brainchild — Enterprise Florida Inc., housed within another Scott innovation in […]

James CallMarch 25, 2015

The James Madison Institute 2015 Annual Dinner celebrated “The Florida Story: A Lasting Legacy.” More than 300 politicos and supporters attended the dinner Tuesday night on the campus of Florida State University. Former FSU President Stanley Marshall founded JMI in 1987 to advance the limited government philosophy of its namesake: James Madison. “There are more instances of the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 16, 2015

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed a bill Monday that would limit the use of drones for surveillance throughout the state. A bill passed two years ago took a first step in targeting the burgeoning technology by limiting use of drones by law enforcement to gather evidence or intel. It also created a requirement for […]

Fundraising galore before start of 2016 Legislative Session

Email insights: More House GOP fundraising

Florida immigrant coalition blasts GOP proposal to crack down on “sanctuary cities”

Legislative roundup: Slew of Republican bills introduced Thursday

Seven Florida House Republicans attending ALEC conference this week

Drone restrictions flying to governor’s desk

With adverse hospital CEOs amendment, Senate accountability bill imperfect

Lobbying ethics bill stumbles in Senate Rules

James Madison Institute dinner celebrates limited government, school choice

House subcommittee OKs drone bill limiting surveillance