Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

James CallMarch 15, 2015

At the state Capitol this week the budget begins to take shape and Rep. Richard Corcoran increasingly becomes the man to watch. By the end of the week the Senate will have released its budget allocation and Corcoran and Sen. Tom Lee, the two chambers’ appropriation chairs, will move closer to center stage as a spending plan begins […]

James CallMarch 13, 2015

I was all prepared to begin this week’s column telling you how cool and smooth I think John Armstrong is. I’ve taken some shots at the Secretary of Health over his handling of developing rules to implement the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. The process places us in an adversarial relationship and the Scott administration communication strategy makes it a […]

James CallMarch 12, 2015

House Democrats say the push to change the pension system for government workers is based on flawed and unlikely assumptions. Speaker Steve Crisafulli wants to overhaul the Florida Retirement System. The goal is to move new workers out of the traditional defined-benefits plan to a 401(K) type defined-contribution plan that would be more portable for when workers […]

James CallMarch 12, 2015

House Democrats say the push to change the pension system for government workers is based on flawed and unlikely assumptions. Speaker Steve Crisafulli wants to overhaul the Florida Retirement System. The goal is to move new workers out of the traditional defined-benefits plan to a 401(K) type defined-contribution plan that would be more portable for when workers […]

Associated PressMarch 12, 2015

Class size limits could be eased for Florida’s schools under a bill now moving in the Florida Legislature. A House committee approved the measure Thursday. A 2002 state constitutional amendment limits classes in core subjects to 18 students in kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade and 25 in high school. The […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

A former legislative affairs director in the Rick Scott administration is heading to General Motors to head the automobile giant’s lobbying efforts in Florida. Marlene Williams, 28, will be the new Southeast Regional Manager of State Government Relations, effective Monday. Williams’s role will be to direct state legislative issues affecting GM in the Southeast Region. Based in Tallahassee, Williams will […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

A former legislative affairs director in the Rick Scott administration is heading to General Motors to head the automobile giant’s lobbying efforts in Florida. Marlene Williams, 28, will be the new Southeast Regional Manager of State Government Relations, effective Monday. Williams’s role will be to direct state legislative issues affecting GM in the Southeast Region. Based in Tallahassee, Williams will […]

James CallMarch 11, 2015

OK folks, get your note cards ready because it’s going to start getting complicated quickly. When people say politics is all about the money they are right. The only reason the state Capitol represents a village during the 60-day annual Legislative Session is because billions of dollars are at stake — everyone wants a piece […]

Tag: legislative

Charlotte’s Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz

Charlotte's Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz

The week ahead in Florida politics

The week that was in Florida politics — March 13, 2015

House Democrats equate FRS to “apple pie” worth defending

House Democrats equate FRS to "apple pie" worth defending

Class size limits could be eased for school districts

Personnel note: Former Rick Scott admin staffer Marlene Williams to lead GM's Florida lobbying efforts

Personnel note: Former Rick Scott admin staffer Marlene Williams to lead GM’s Florida lobbying efforts

The Day That Was in Florida Politics — March 11