Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

A much-debated bill that would ban all marriages under the age of 17 passed the Legislature Friday; it now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman for Scott said the governor “intends to sign” the bill (SB 140). The vote in the House on the Senate bill was 109-1, with the only ‘no’ vote cast by Republican […]

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 […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2018

A last-minute attempt to strip out a narrow requirement for the continuing education course required by the bill combatting the opioid epidemic failed in the Senate Wednesday. Both HB 21 and the Senate opioid bill, SB 8, would require all physicians who prescribe controlled substances to take a two-hour continuing education course every two years […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2018

The Senate appears to be lining up behind the sole-source continuing education requirements in the opioid bill passed by the House last week, according to a newly-filed amendment. HB 21 contains a number of provisions aimed at putting a dent in the opioid epidemic, including limits on prescriptions and new reporting requirements to prevent doctor […]

Ana CeballosMarch 5, 2018

The Florida Senate gave initial approval Monday to a compromise with the House on the controversial child marriage bill, which would allow 17-year-old to wed in the state. The Republican-controlled House initially wanted to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry in cases where there is a pregnancy and the older partner is no more than […]

Peter SchorschMarch 3, 2018

There is “zero tolerance” for sexual harassment in the Legislature, leaders say, but an ethics reform package that would create new rules and penalties for sexual harassment may not become law this year. The Florida House unanimously passed the proposal this week, but Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley is blocking the bill in the Senate because […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube announced Monday that he will run for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. “I’m running because Washington is broken; it needs to serve the people it was intended to serve, Floridians; rather than special interests in DC,” Steube said in an email. “My entire adult life has been about service, I enlisted […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 26, 2018

Following a chaotic and emotional two-hour debate at the Senate Rules Committee on Monday, dozens of gun control advocates left the meeting angry and disappointed when senators voted down a ban on assault weapons. “Vote them out! Vote them out!” protesters chanted after Senate Rules Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto announced the failure of on an amendment filed […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Last week U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney put out the “Rooney out” message, launching a wave of speculation over who could step in and win the heavily Republican CD 17 in the fall. So far, all the GOP candidates running to replace Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam – former Winter Haven Rep. Baxter Troutman, Lehigh Acres Rep. […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2018

As House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s priority education bill is pushed through the Senate committee process, some watching this week were perplexed by the vote of one sometimes perplexing Republican lawmaker. Sen. Tom Lee, who has helped carry Corcoran’s policy in a sometimes-hostile Senate, voted with Democrats to gut language from the omnibus bill that would […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Lawmakers pass ban on minors marrying — but exclude 17-year-olds

Lauren Book revives human trafficking legislation

Senate rejects changes to course requirement in opioid bill

Senate keeps national accreditation requirement from House opioid bill

Senate, House reach compromise on controversial child marriage bill

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Ethics reform in peril

Greg Steube is running for Congress; seeks seat being vacated by Tom Rooney

Senate pushes gun, school safety proposals without assault weapon ban

How the dominoes could fall after ‘Rooney out’

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A puzzling vote