Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 14, 2016

On Tuesday afternoon, State Sen. Aaron Bean addressed the Northside Business Leaders group at their customary meeting place — a conference room at the Jacksonville Zoo — offering insights on the Pulse massacre, the pension tax referendum, and the just-concluded legislative session. He also found time to talk to FloridaPolitics.com. Here are highlights from both: — Regarding […]

Guest AuthorMarch 8, 2016

Each Legislative Session brings a cadre of bills, usually touted as consumer-friendly measures, that on the surface sound like good-government laws. In reality, such bills often have unintended consequences that should be exposed for consumer protection reasons. Companions House Bill 1041 and Senate Bill 966, related to unclaimed property, form one such example of state […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2016

With Florida’s Legislative Session only days away, one of the hottest issues to face lawmakers this year is Open Carry. Two bills (SB 300/HB 163) filed by the Republican father-son tag team of State Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry a […]

Guest AuthorNovember 12, 2015

During the upcoming Legislative Session there will be bills dealing with the Florida Lottery that can take the lottery in very different directions. One would bring sanity to an out-of-control form of gambling, while the other would allow people to finance their gambling addiction on credit – a dangerous direction for our state. Today’s lottery […]

Guest AuthorNovember 11, 2015

During the upcoming Legislative Session there will be bills dealing with the Florida Lottery that can take the lottery in very different directions. One would bring sanity to an out-of-control form of gambling, while the other would allow people to finance their gambling addiction on credit – a dangerous direction for our state. Today’s lottery […]

Guest AuthorOctober 15, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Guest AuthorOctober 14, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Melissa RossAugust 18, 2015

In the wake of The Florida Times-Union’s powerful dive into dangerous gaps in the state’s mental health care system, advocates pushing for change say they’re readying their strategy to press legislators hard to enact reforms in 2016. “We’re coordinating a statewide advocacy effort, bringing together mental health professionals, advocates, families, and consumers, to really have […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2015

Thanks to an interesting and oft-forgotten historical footnote, the origin of the terms “Upper Chamber” and “Lower Chamber” are not related to power, but were originally derived from the actual physical location of the respective legislative bodies. The story goes that during the first meetings of Congress in NYC’s Federal Hall, the U.S. Senate occupied […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2015

Hours away from the start of the annual 60-day Legislative Session, and the Florida Democratic Party already had a prediction. For them, it is as if the next two months will never happen. “Empty words for middle class, handouts for special interests,” leads the latest FDP email blast to supporters, blowing the Democratic dog whistle […]

Tag: Legislative Session

Aaron Bean talks Pulse, pension tax, legislative session

Paul Sanford: Governor should veto state money-grab legislation

Open Carry advocates in Florida should take careful note of Texas’ new gun-toting law

Paul Seago: Florida Lottery should be constrained, not expanded

Paul Seago: Florida Lottery should be constrained, not expanded

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff

Florida mental health summit: “We will impact the 2016 Legislative Session”

Peter Schorsch: Can Florida's 'Upper House' keep the upper hand?

Email insights: Democrats blow the dog whistle for 2015 Session