Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 17, 2018

There’s often a disconnect between lawmakers and constituents looking to effect change, but helping to close that gap is a new app that blends the tech of today with the old but reliable methods of grassroots advocacy. RallyWise, a mobile tool that connects users with lawmakers and tracks legislation, is seeking to shift the influence […]

Staff ReportsOctober 14, 2016

One day before the Oct. 14 deadline, state agencies began issuing Legislative Budget Requests [LBR] for the upcoming fiscal year. As LobbyTools explains, budget requests include several “exhibits” and “schedules” — exhibits offer alternative views of an agency’s budget request, such as by issue or category. Schedules provide supporting documentation for exhibits. For instance, “Exhibit D-3A” […]

Staff ReportsAugust 30, 2016

There’s just a few hours left until the polls close, and statewide turnout is currently under 20 percent. Forty-seven counties in Florida have started to report turnout numbers, according to LobbyTools. The legislative monitoring service reported more than 2.1 million votes have already been cast. That brings statewide turnout to just over 17 percent. Statewide […]

Staff ReportsJune 27, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is known as an early riser, so no surprise he would want to get a jump on the 2017-18 budget process. LobbyTools reported Monday his office “issued written instructions to state agencies to develop budget requests which will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.” Here’s the rest of their post: The […]

Phil AmmannJune 14, 2016

Republican Rep. Eric Eisnaugle is now unchallenged in his re-election effort. LobbyTools reports Democrat Dave Trotter has dropped his bid for House District 44 with an open letter dated Monday to Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant. According to the Florida Division of Elections, Trotter was Eisnaugle’s only active challenger so far for the Orlando-area seat. In the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

An amended version of a bill reforming several laws and policies at the Department of Financial Services passed the Senate unanimously. LobbyTools reports that HB 651 is now headed back to the House. The bill, in part, creates a new grant program for volunteer fire departments and specifies that employees of state universities, special districts […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 7027, a broadly worded bill that seeks to reform several policies and programs for the Florida Department of Transportation. After senators adopted a series of amendments, LobbyTools reports the bill now returns to the House. Among the amendments were adding language to encourage the development of transportation policy for […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2016

A bill making sweeping changes to the Department of Financial Services is heading to the Senate Thursday after passing the House floor 114 to 1. In addition to rewriting a variety of regulations, HB 651, from Monticello Republican Rep. Halsey Beshears, also establishes or alters numerous DFS programs, reports LobbyTools. Among the changes, the bill […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 17, 2016

A Senate committee rejected a proposal Wednesday to scale back the state’s certificate of need (CON) program for licensing hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. LobbyTools reports that SB 1144, filed by Niceville Republican state Sen. Don Gaetz, sought to give exemptions from the CON requirement to facilities that provide “charity care in […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

A series of rewrites to Florida’s economic-incentive programs, a chief priority of Gov. Rick Scott, passed its first House panel Tuesday afternoon. Lobby Tools reports that HB 1325, from Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, seeks to establish a new Florida Enterprise Fund, as well as changes in the process of administering economic incentives for businesses […]

Tag: LobbyTools
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Influence from home: RallyWise looks to bridge associations with lawmakers

State agencies begin releasing budget requests

Statewide voter turnout currently around 17 percent

It’s never too early for budget time

Dave Trotter drops Democratic bid for Eric Eisnaugle’s HD 44 seat

Senate passes reforms for Department of Financial Services

Senate unanimously passes broad transportation bill, sends to House

House passes sweeping reforms to Department of Financial Services

Senate panel rejects bill scaling back Florida’s certificate of need program

House committee OK’s rewrite of state economic incentive program