Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 3, 2016

The report cards are out, and three dozen state lawmakers got top marks from one of Florida’s leading advocates for economic freedom. On Tuesday, Americans for Prosperity-Florida (AFP-FL) released its annual Economic Freedom Scorecard. To tabulate the grades, the organization recorded more than 4,300 individual votes on 59 legislative proposals. “A big part of our […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 21, 2016

In Tampa Thursday, Governor Rick Scott ceremonially signed SB 636, a bill introduced by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto that requires testing of rape kits within 120 days of submission to a state crime lab, and requires that agencies submit kits for testing inside of 30 days after the beginning of the investigation In a statement, Scott said that the bill will […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2016

259361_218539968166390_4383238_o-e1461102444365-3500x5000.jpg

Tampa Republican Rep. Dana Young announced she would kick off her campaign for Senate District 18 with a fundraiser May 3. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 1601 South MacDill Ave. For more information, or to RSVP for the event, contact Sydney Ridley at [email protected]. The House Majority Leader […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 19, 2016

It’s appropriate that former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney is President of the University of North Florida. His time in public service in Jacksonville coincides nicely with the University of North Florida’s transition from a commuter school for working adults in the 1970s and ’80s to the thriving regional university it is today. The campus has been […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 15, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto has received enough signatures to qualify for re-election. The Fort Myers Republican announced she has received more than 4,000 signatures from Lee County residents to qualify by petition in Senate District 27. Benacquisto needed a minimum of 1,552 signatures to qualify. “I am overwhelmed by this showing of support from thousands of conservatives […]

Ryan RayApril 12, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott made progress on cleaning his post-Legislative Session plate on Tuesday, signing into law a bill to require life insurance policies to notify beneficiaries when a deceased policyholder has died. The bill – SB 966 by Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto – was approved with no opposition by lawmakers on March 10. It requires insurers to use master death lists they […]

Phil AmmannApril 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Amanda Cogan has stepped down as district secretary for Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. On: Lisa Goodson is Gaetz’s new district secretary. Off and on: Kevin Reilly has left the job of deputy staff director […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 7, 2016

On Everglades Action Day, Gov. Rick Scott took steps to make sure there’s a dedicated funding source to restore the River of Grass. Scott signed a bill (HB 989) into law on Thursday to create an annual dedicated funding source to protect Florida’s environment. The Legacy Florida bill sets aside up to $200 million a […]

Jim RosicaApril 5, 2016

A group of Florida Senate Republicans, including two future presidents of that chamber, on Tuesday endorsed state Rep. Dana Young‘s run for an open Tampa seat, according to a news release. Young, the outgoing House Republican leader, was endorsed by Senate President-designate Joe Negron of Stuart, Senate Republican Leader Bill Galvano of Bradenton (expected to succeed Negron as president), […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 4, 2016

For Lizbeth Benacquisto, the 2016 Legislative Session was filled with wins. She backed legislation to create universal school choice, supported a proposal allowing Floridians to break into a vehicle to rescue a person in distress or an unattended animal, and backed a bill requiring insurers to take a proactive approach to paying out life insurance […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Three dozen lawmakers get A+ on AFP-FL’s 2016 Economic Freedom Scorecard

Rick Scott ceremonially signs rape kit testing bill

Dana Young launching Senate bid with Tampa kickoff event May 3

Performance funding problems feature during Joe Negron’s University of North Florida tour

Lizbeth Benacquisto receives 4,000 signatures to qualify by petition

Rick Scott signs unclaimed life insurance policies bill into law

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Rick Scott signs Legacy Florida bill on Everglades Action Day

Senate leaders endorse Dana Young for SD 18

Lizbeth Benacquisto racks up legislative victories during 2016 session