Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 13, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is launching new television commercials Tuesday addressing post-Parkland calls for assault weapon bans and universal background checks. The 30-second spot “The Moment” is being released in both English and Spanish versions for English and Spanish television stations in all Florida television markets, part of a $1.3 million ad buy from […]

Ana CeballosMarch 12, 2018

The superintendent for Pinellas County public schools is slamming the proposed state budget that lawmakers are poised to pass Sunday because he says it will leave his school district with a nearly $3 million funding deficit. “It’s clear that the additional safe schools and mental health funding has come on the backs of teachers and […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The Florida Legislature during a rare Sunday session passed an $88.7 billion state budget — the largest one in the state’s history. “This balanced budget includes unprecedented K-12 per student funding, targeted pay raises for state law enforcement, state firefighters, and Department of Juvenile Justice probation and detention officers, and $100 million for Florida Forever, while […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session came and went, and Brian Pitts of the advocacy group Justice 2 Jesus was nowhere to be found. One of the last times he was spotted was November at the Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee. It was the last meeting for former state Rep. Neil Combee and after he said farewell, […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

Almost immediately after Gov. Rick Scott signed gun-control measures that are unprecedented in the state, the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit to try to block it. Scott signed the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Act” flanked by some of the parents who lost their children in the school mass shooting on Valentine’s Day. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Legislative leaders closed out the largest proposed budget in state history Thursday that included nearly $90 million in last-minute spending for projects that largely have to do with education. As the House and Senate finalized differences on the roughly $88 billion 2018-19 budget, the supplemental funding — informally known as the “sprinkle fund” — was unveiled in […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Senate Budget Chief Rob Bradley said it would set “bad precedent” to go along with a House plan that would have financially punished Enterprise Rent-A-Car for cutting ties with the National Rifle Association. “I think that it’s silly to get involved in rebidding contracts … because you’re mad at a temporary moment in time about […]

Michael MolineMarch 7, 2018

As the House debated the post-Parkland bill Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott refused to commit to signing it. “As you know, the bill is still being debated. When the bill makes it to my desk, I’m going to do what they don’t seem to be doing in Washington. I’m going to review the bill line by […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2018

Saying the Democratic Party needs a gubernatorial nominee with the passion to be “transformational” in addressing gun legislation, Chris King on Wednesday went after poll-leader Gwen Graham, contending that when she was in Congress she “never supported an assault weapons ban.” Speaking in Tallahassee Wednesday, King said the party needs “a champion for gun safety and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

The House began debate Wednesday on the Legislature’s school safety bill, hastily crafted in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that claimed 17 lives. The day before, the Republican-controlled chamber beat down a slew of amendments on the measure (SB 7026), including one aimed at deleting a ‘guardian program’ […]

Tag: Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Philip Levine launching new TV ads on gun violence

Pinellas schools superintendent slams proposed funding for public education

Legislature passes $88.7B state budget to close out extended session

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Where is Justice 2 Jesus?

NRA sues state shortly after Rick Scott signs gun-control measures

House, Senate reach budget deal with $90m in last-minute spending

‘It’s silly’: Senate won’t punish Enterprise Rent-A-Car for NRA move

Rick Scott refuses to be pinned down on school safety legislation

Chris King attacks Gwen Graham’s record on guns; she calls attack ‘predictable but sad’

School safety bill up for vote in House