Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonFebruary 21, 2017

Lake Worth Sen. Jeff Clemens and Lantana Rep. Lori Berman filed bills that would allow Florida cities to create incentive programs to attract sustainable energy jobs. HB 887 and SB 1090 would expand a pilot program to create “Energy Economic Zones” in cities, a designation for areas that encourage renewable energy generation, manufacture products that […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 14, 2017

A House panel OK’d a proposed committee bill Tuesday aimed at tweaking the state-employee health insurance program. The House Health & Human Services Committee approved the bill (PCB HHS 17-01), which, among other things, would lead to the state plan offering four different levels by 2020. The idea, said Rep. Jason Brodeur, is similar to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 24, 2017

House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz and two of her colleagues have filed the Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act, aimed at closing the gender pay gap in Florida. Lantana Democrat Lori Berman is co-filing the legislation with Cruz in the House (HB 319), and Orlando Democrat Linda Stewart is filing the bill in the Senate (SB 410). “It is unconscionable that in America […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation to implement a constitutional amendment to give tax breaks to companies that buy and install solar devices and equipment. The St. Petersburg Republican filed Senate Bill 90, the Amendment 4 implementing bill Thursday. “The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear that they expect the sunshine state to make […]

Mitch PerryAugust 23, 2016

Supporters of expanding the use of solar power in Florida held a roundtable discussion on the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg campus on Tuesday to discuss how the passage of Amendment 4 next week could crack open resistance to alternative energy sources in the Sunshine State. Amendment 4 exempts solar devices and equipment from being subject […]

Mitch PerryAugust 17, 2016

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Unlike that other solar power constitutional amendment that Floridians will decide on in the fall, seemingly everyone supports Amendment Four, the only ballot measure on this month’s primary ballot. Virtually everyone that is, except Al Sharpton. The New York City-based activist and MSNBC host bashed the measure while making an appearance last week in Opa-Locka. Amendment […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

An initiative that would give a property tax break for renewable energy to residents and businesses, is getting strong support heading into the Aug. 30 primary election in Florida. A St. Pete Polls survey released Wednesday shows Amendment 4 is garnering 56 percent in support to 16 percent against, with 27 percent undecided. Florida hasn’t had a constitutional […]

Mitch PerryAugust 2, 2016

A constitutional amendment on this month’s primary ballot, which would give commercial property owners a tax break when they install renewable energy devices, has not faced any opposition to date. Until now. Conservative activist Jason Hoyt announced the creation of “Stop Playing Favorites Political Action Committee “(Stop Playing Favorites PAC) on Monday, which he brands […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 14, 2016

The number of advanced energy jobs is on the rise in Florida, and experts said the industry could add more than 5,000 new jobs by the end of the year. A new report from the Advanced Energy Economy Institute found there were more than 140,000 advanced energy jobs in the state in 2015. The industry […]

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 […]

Tag: Lori Berman

Democrats announce bill to boost renewable energy incentives

House panel approves changes to state employee health insurance program

Florida Democrats to propose “The Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Act” aimed at closing gender pay gap

Jeff Brandes files Amendment 4 implementing bill

Advocates extoll the virtues of Amendment 4 in roundtable discussion at USFSP campus

Jeff Brandes disagrees with Al Sharpton’s critique of Amendment Four

New survey shows Amendment 4 solar initiative getting 56 percent support

New group emerges to oppose Amendment 4 solar measure on this month’s ballot

Advanced energy fields in Florida poised for growth

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round