Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 9, 2018

Kevin Rader has pulled his support of Gary Farmer for Senate Democratic Leader-designate, saying the Broward Democrat’s derogatory comments about their colleague, Lauren Book, are “obnoxious.” As Florida Politics first reported in “Sunburn,” all hell is breaking loose within the Senate Democratic Caucus in the run-up to voting on who will lead the members during […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 8, 2018

Sen. Lauren Book made headlines last week when she unexpectedly tabled a bill that would give victims of human trafficking the right to sue hotels that are complicit in the illicit activity. Only a few days later, the same provision is back — this time as an amendment Book sponsored and successfully tacked onto a House-backed bill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

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Gov. Rick Scott said he will sign a measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Scott made the announcement early Wednesday at a “Ringing of the Bell” ceremony for Florida’s fallen firefighters at The Capitol. The legislation (SB 376) is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also the state’s Fire […]

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

Without debate, the Florida Senate on Saturday unanimously passed a bill to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder. The measure (SB 376) was among several added to a rare weekend sitting to handle pending school safety legislation. That’s in response to last month’s deadly shooting at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 1, 2018

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The Florida Senate’s environmental priorities, which include boosting funding for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, also known as Florida Forever, along with funding for beaches, are kinks that still need to be fleshed out before Friday’s budget conference deadline. But Rep. Ben Albritton, House chair of the environment and agriculture budget conference, seems optimistic. “In this […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 21, 2018

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Those who’ve survived the tragic shooting in Parkland don’t want to be consoled by lawmakers — they want action. A number of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School spoke between the state House and Senate chambers on Wednesday, aggressively addressing state legislators in front of dozens of media outlets. The conference was concurrent with […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 12, 2018

Legislation that would allow human trafficking victims to sue hotels and other businesses that turned a blind eye to the abuse moved forward in the Senate on Monday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book, intends to give victims more litigation power to recoup economic damages as well as cost for their medical and mental […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 6, 2018

Legislation that would eliminate state holidays honoring Confederate figures advanced in the Senate Tuesday despite pushback from numerous speakers who said the proposal would be “cultural genocide” and an “insult” to their ancestors. “This is cultural genocide,” a man from Jacksonville said. “Southern white people are in the minority. You can’t take away our culture […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters‘ attempt to amend an House ethics reform bill resulted in virtual fireworks Thursday, with a prominent lobbyist saying Peters was targeting him and a lawmaker bemoaning “political gymnastics” that temporarily gummed up the measure. One of Peters’ amendments would have banned sitting lawmakers and their immediate family members from working for lobbying firms. The […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee approved a landmark bill on “Creating the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.” SB 1628, sponsored by Plantation Democrat Lauren Book, mandates that the task force meets every four years. It bars legislators, candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually harassing anyone, and […]

Tag: Lauren Book

Kevin Rader no longer backing Gary Farmer for Democratic leader after ‘mansplaining’ comments

Lauren Book revives human trafficking legislation

Rick Scott says he’ll sign first responders’ benefits bill

Senate passes PTSD benefits for first responders

Florida Forever, beaches will dictate environmental budget negotiations

Parkland students to Legislature: We’ve had enough of your ‘thoughts and prayers’

Human trafficking bill allowing victims to sue hotels moves ahead

Bill removing Confederate holidays advances despite being called ‘cultural genocide’

‘Political gymnastics’: House panel kills Kathleen Peters’ ethics proposals

Backed by Pam Bondi, Lauren Book’s sexual harassment bill clears Senate panel