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James CallMarch 18, 2015

Wow, talk about a gaggle. If you want a good understanding of what separates the House and Senate as the session approaches the midpoint check out this exchange between Sen. Tom Lee and a gaggle of reporters including the AP, The Palm Beach Post, The Tampa Tribune and the Times/Herald Capitol Bureau. It’s the best gaggle of the session so […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

Sen. Denise Grimsley’s effort to tear down the wall has morphed into moving the door. More than 100 people crowded into a Senate meeting room Wednesday when the Regulated Industries Committee considered a proposal ending a prohibition on grocery stores stocking liquor and spirits alongside beer and wine. Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, fought back against an unfriendly amendment offered by […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

Sen. Denise Grimsley’s effort to tear down the wall has morphed into moving the door. More than 100 people crowded into a Senate meeting room Wednesday when the Regulated Industries Committee considered a proposal ending a prohibition on grocery stores stocking liquor and spirits alongside beer and wine. Grimsley, a Sebring Republican, fought back against an unfriendly amendment offered by […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

The Senate Appropriations Chairman is drawing a line in the sand. Sen. Tom Lee wants clarity on health care spending before moving forward on building a budget, and both Sen. Aaron Bean and Sen. Renee Garcia are looking for the money to help him produce a balanced spending plan. The federal Low Income Pool program expires in June, and the more than […]

James CallMarch 18, 2015

Florida for Care declared Wednesday a Day of Compassion at the state capitol. More than 20 supporters of two medicinal marijuana bills fanned out across the Capitol Complex early Wednesday to lobby lawmakers on behalf of HB 683 and SB 528. “They came from all over the state,” said Kari Hicks of Florida For Care. “There are people […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

A measure that could help Gov. Rick Scott fulfill his promise to cut taxes by $670 million continues to roll through the Legislature. The Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Monday approved on a 7-0 vote to reduce a communications tax by 3.6%. “This is broad-based and consumer friendly,” said Sen. Dorothy Hukill who is sponsoring the $431 million tax […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

It was a day of announcements at the state Capitol. Morning broke with former legislator Joe Scarborough announcing that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is selling his Tallahassee house. Details here. Rubio had purchased a three-bedroom/two bath house with fellow lawmaker David Rivera in 2005. It has been a bit of a headache for Rubio: The two were unable to unload […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

An Allison Tant rant was featured in a House Republican video produced for this past week’s annual Capitol Press Corps Press Skits. The segment set to rap music was taken from a news conference when Tant used strong language to head off a potential House Democrat leadership fight. It was unclear whether it was included to get […]

Peter SchorschMarch 16, 2015

Emergent legislative pro Erin Daly Ballas is the featured Tallahassee player in today’s chapter of the 4th Floor Files. Currently, she serves as an associate on Jack and Kenya Cory’s Public Affairs Consultants team, where she began in 2008 as a legislative intern. Erin has grown into the firm’s go-to person for grassroots efforts, including […]

Tag: legislative

The day that was in Florida politics — March 18

Senate scales back “‘whiskey and wheaties” bill

Senate scales back "'whiskey and wheaties" bill

Five minutes with Tom Lee — Talk of playing cards while building a budget

Florida for Care walking Capitol halls today for medicinal marijuana

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

Senate support for communications tax gets louder

The day that was in Florida politics — March 16

Catching up with Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant

4th Floor Files talks with Erin Daly Ballas on Keep Florida Beautiful, Whole30 and “Not Her Circus”