Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosNovember 9, 2017

A rules complaint was filed Wednesday against Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who is under investigation by the Senate after six unnamed women accused him of sexually harassing and groping them. Because the complaint is initially confidential, the details about what it pertains are unclear. Republican Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who chairs the Rules Committee […]

Peter SchorschOctober 30, 2017

Two female state senators Monday issued a powerful joint statement on sexual misconduct in the Capitol, the same day Senate President Joe Negron agreed to reconsider his new hard-line harassment reporting policy. Sens. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican and Rules Committee chair, and Lauren Book, a Plantation Democrat and chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and […]

Jim RosicaOctober 25, 2017

Lawmakers want to “delay, but not deny” the ability of those under 18 to wed, state Rep. Lori Berman said at a Wednesday press conference. Proponents of bills moving in the Legislature for the 2018 Session to outlaw child marriage gathered for a midday news conference in the Capitol’s 4th floor rotunda. “We are saying […]

Danny McAuliffeOctober 24, 2017

A bill banning the marriage of any minor in Florida, SB 140, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously Tuesday after several victims shared their gripping stories. Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican filed the bill in August. Majority Leader and future Senate President Wilton Simpson co-introduced the measure following the story of a Tampa Bay-area […]

Peter SchorschOctober 23, 2017

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and Rep. Jim Boyd, both Republicans representing southwest Florida, will file bills today to combat opioid abuse in the Sunshine State by limiting first-time painkiller prescriptions to a three-day supply. The proposal mirrors one Gov. Rick Scott made earlier this year and is also similar to a proposal backed by a drug manufacturers […]

Peter SchorschOctober 17, 2017

An organization dedicated to ending violence against women and girls lauded Florida lawmakers Tuesday for filing bills that would make child marriage illegal under state law. Republicans Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and Reps. Jeanette Nuñez and Frank White filed identical bills in the House and Senate – HB 335 and SB 140 – that would outlaw […]

Jim RosicaOctober 11, 2017

Lawmakers asked lots of questions but didn’t get the answers they wanted Wednesday as a Senate panel tried to get a handle on the state’s new $85 million jobs fund. The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee heard from Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) head Cissy Proctor on the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. […]

Peter SchorschAugust 17, 2017

If you’ve ever dreamed of slurping spaghetti with state senators, top Florida Republicans have an offer you can’t refuse, so long as you can snag a flight to the Big Apple pronto. Senate President Joe Negron will make a fundraising trip to New York Thursday with the two senators set to succeed him in his […]

Jim RosicaAugust 14, 2017

As expected, legislation was filed Monday in the Florida Senate to ban minors from getting married. The bill (SB 140) repeals language now in state law governing weddings of those under 18, replacing it with, “A license to marry may not be issued to any person under the age of 18.” It was filed by […]

Phil AmmannJuly 25, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Amber Moody is a new support analyst for the House Office of Information Technology. Off: Michael Ellis is no longer a journal writer/editor for the Legislative Process Division. Off and on: Natasha Sutherland has […]

Tag: Lizbeth Benacquisto

Complaint filed with Senate Rules Committee against Jack Latvala

Lizbeth Benacquisto, Lauren Book issue statement on sexual misconduct

Child marriage ban about ‘delaying, not denying’ weddings

Child marriage ban clears Senate judiciary committee

To fight opioid abuse, limit Rxs to 3 days, lawmakers say

Tahirih Justice Center thanks lawmakers for bills banning child marriage

Senators sound skeptical of new state jobs fund

Top Senate Republicans holding Big Apple fundraiser Thursday

Senate bill would ban marriage by minors

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round