Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 27, 2017

The Florida House of Representatives graphics team has done it again, putting together an uplifting 5-minute clip about the state’s recovery after Hurricane Irma. The video opens with ominous music and titles that read “They said we were divided … That we were hopelessly at odds … That in an hour of need … Americans […]

Scott PowersApril 24, 2017

A bill that would push many student assessment tests to the last weeks of the year and open the prospect that SAT and ACT tests could replace Florida’s English and math tests was overwhelmingly approved by the Florida House Education Committee Monday. Committee Substitute for House Bill 773 contains a number of education omnibus reforms ranging […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2017

A bill seeking to expand what optometrists could do — namely, performing surgery and prescribing opiates — was an agenda item in the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee Thursday. However, the bill at the center of Florida’s Eyeball Wars went unheard. HB 1037, sponsored by Rep. Manny Diaz, barely cleared Health and Human Services […]

Michael MolineMarch 28, 2017

The House public education budget would be extra kind to charter schools next year, pumping $200 million into charters specifically targeting children stuck in persistently low-performing classrooms. The money would provide grants to “charter school networks with a proven track record of serving specifically low-income students and successfully closing the achievement gap,” said Manny Diaz […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 9, 2016

Saturday, Sept. 10 State Rep. Dana Young, running for Senate District 18, will celebrate the opening of her Carrollwood campaign office with some Super Saturday canvassing. Starting at 9:15 a.m., Young will be on hand for a meet-and-greet with supporters, the campaign team, and volunteers, followed by a neighborhood walk. Joining Young for the event […]

Jim RosicaApril 15, 2016

Smaller private, charter and Christian schools in Florida say the state’s high-school athletics oversight body is preventing them from competing for state championships despite a new state law approved by Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday. But a spokesman for the organization, the Florida High School Athletics Association, says they’re simply enforcing a policy that’s been on the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2016

The end of the 2016 legislative session last month can only mean one thing — election season is coming. Campaign finance reports were due to the state on Monday. The March fundraising reports show that more than two dozen candidates for the Florida House have more than $100,000 in cash on hand, and several candidates raised […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2016

The start of the 2016 Legislative Session means a cessation of political fundraising – sitting lawmakers are barred from ginning up cash while they legislate. But session begins Tuesday, so the Monday before is the usual orgy of tippling, grip-and-grinning and check writing. House Majority 2016, Senate Majority 2016 and others sent out emails last week detailing the various events, subject […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 28, 2015

Thank you notes will soon be arriving in the mailboxes of Floridians living in six legislative districts. Americans for Prosperity-Florida sent out mailers today to Floridians in six legislative districts to say thank you to state House and Senate members who sponsored legislation aimed at health care reform and eliminating government overreach. “We believe that […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A Florida House panel on Thursday unanimously approved yet another bill aimed at the state’s oversight body for high school athletics. But the bill’s sponsor explained that the legislation (EDC 16-01) would put into state law much of what the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) already has in its internal bylaws. “There’s a lot of agreement here,” […]

Tag: Manny Diaz Jr.

Florida House goes Michael Bay with Irma recovery video

Student assessment changes approved by House Education Committee

‘Eyeball Wars’ bill, slated for House committee, goes unheard Thursday

House budget would add ‘emergency’ $200 million for charter schools

Florida campaign weekender for Sept. 10-11

Small detail in big education bill causing major headache in high school athletics

Dozens of candidates have raised $100,000 or more for their House races

Fundraising galore before start of 2016 Legislative Session

Americans for Prosperity sends ‘thank you’ to six lawmakers

Another high school athletics bill moves in House