Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee approved a landmark bill on “Creating the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.” SB 1628, sponsored by Plantation Democrat Lauren Book, mandates that the task force meets every four years. It bars legislators, candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually harassing anyone, and […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 25, 2018

It’s been 30 years since the Legislature last increased the amount a person has to steal in order to face a felony theft charge and the bipartisan effort to do so this year could potentially hit a brick wall in the Senate. The measure sponsored by Sen. Randolph Bracy has been moving ahead in the […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2018

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More than 150 mental health advocates visited the Capitol Wednesday to urge lawmakers to pass a slate of bills and approve funding requests covering a wide range of mental health issues, including the opioid epidemic. “Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol allows, peers, caregivers, friends and family to unite to talk about mental health issues […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 18, 2018

Prompted by a series of sex scandals that enveloped several senators, the Florida Senate on Thursday rolled out new guidelines on how to handle sexual harassment in the workplace. The new employee code of conduct cites “patting, pinching, or intentionally brushing against an individual’s body,” unwelcome kissing or hugging as part of a greeting — […]

Peter SchorschDecember 6, 2017

There is a scene in the always-watchable movie “The Late Shift” — a behind-the-scenes look at the network politics that embroil television executives responsible for late-night programming after 1991’s retirement announcement of Johnny Carson — in which Tonight Show producer Peter Lassally (played by Steven Gilborn) has a come-to-Jesus conversation with David Letterman in which […]

Ana CeballosDecember 4, 2017

After Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto publicly accused Ritch Workman, a Gov. Rick Scott appointee to the Public Service Commission, of making vulgar and inappropriate comments to her at a charity event last year, he said Monday he is no longer pursuing his nomination. “At a public charity event in 2016, former Rep. Ritch Workman […]

Ana CeballosNovember 29, 2017

Rachel Perrin Rogers, an aide to future Senate President Wilton Simpson, has publicly identified herself as one of the women accusing Sen. Jack Latvala of sexual harassment, according to a POLITICO Florida report. In doing so, a potential conflict of interest is raised in the Senate investigation into the claims because Perrin Rogers is married […]

Peter SchorschNovember 23, 2017

A compilation of Thanksgiving message from Florida’s elected officials and politicians: U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, via Twitter: “Grace and I wish everyone a wonderful #Thanksgiving. And special thanks to all the brave men and women serving in our military – both here and overseas – who sacrifice so much to keep the rest of us […]

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala‘s legal team said Monday that Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee where a complaint was filed against the Clearwater Republican, should recuse herself from the Senate sexual harassment investigation because she violated the chamber’s privacy rules. “Senator Benacquisto’s public comment regarding the alleged complaint is a material breach of […]

Ana CeballosNovember 9, 2017

As Sen. Jack Latvala faces an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him, not much is clear, including specifics about a complaint filed with the Senate Rules Committee. This much is known: Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, the chair of the committee, at first confirmed a complaint had been filed with her committee in a Capitol News Service interview […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

Backed by Pam Bondi, Lauren Book’s sexual harassment bill clears Senate panel

Easing state’s felony theft law faces Senate roadblock

Mental health advocates urge lawmakers to pass slate of bills during Behavioral Health Day

Senate announces new policy on sexual, workplace harassment

Et tu, Lauren Book

Rick Scott appointee steps down after state Senator accuses him of ‘abhorrent’ behavior

Jack Latvala accuser outs herself, sets up potential conflict of interest in Senate probe

Thanksgiving messages from Florida’s elected officials and politicians

Jack Latvala’s attorney wants Lizbeth Benacquisto to recuse herself from probe

Senate privacy rules shield details on Rules Committee complaint