Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 10, 2016

Last of three parts. Unlike Florida’s stagnant civil forfeiture laws, other states have worked to address the problem. New Mexico, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, and Washington, D.C. have joined North Carolina by either banning civil forfeiture or requiring a criminal conviction as a prerequisite for all forfeitures. This is in addition to other states, like California, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

A bill revamping the state’s process of public land acquisition and management passed its first Senate committee Tuesday. LobbyTools reports that SB 1290, filed by Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson is nearly identical to House equivalent, HB 1075, filed by Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell. Orlando Democratic Sen. Darren Soto submitted an amendment to strip language that […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2016

The candidates they support are as different as can be. There’s Marco Rubio supporters and Jeb Bush boosters; Ted Cruz backers and Donald Trump allies. All of them are confident their man will get the ticket out of New Hampshire, and many still are still hopeful their candidate will be the Republican nominee. “I feel good,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Miami Republican backing […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2016

Both the Florida House and Senate are off to a great start in the 2016 session, having passed significant legislation expanding job and education opportunities for people with disabilities and approving a historic water bill. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott, both of these bills are now law. The comprehensive water bill has been the subject […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 1, 2016

A measure that regulating homeowners’ ability to sign over their right to collect insurance benefits to third parties is moving through the state House. The proposal (HB 1097), sponsored by Rep. Matt Caldwell, cleared the state House insurance and banking subcommittee 12-0 on Jan. 25. The bill limits homeowners ability to sign assignment of benefits […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 28, 2016

A bill that would fund Everglades restoration efforts with up to $200 million a year cleared the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Thursday with a unanimous vote. “Today we are making great strides toward finishing a task that is important to all Floridians,” committee chairman and Bartow Republican Rep. Ben Albritton said. “By protecting […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 28, 2016

The River of Grass needs a steady flow of funding. That’s the message environmental and conservation activists are hoping to send to lawmakers on Thursday during the annual Everglades Action Day. “The focus this year is a funding mechanism,” said Jason Totoiu, the co-chairman of the Everglades Coalition, which is made up a coalition of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 28, 2016

The River of Grass needs a steady flow of funding. That’s the message environmental and conservation activists are hoping to send to lawmakers on Thursday during the annual Everglades Action Day. “The focus this year is a funding mechanism,” said Jason Totoiu, the co-chairman of the Everglades Coalition, made up of 61 environmental and conservation […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

In another “strange bedfellows” moment in the Florida Capitol, an array of conservative and progressive interests stood in the Rotunda to support state Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill to rein in what’s known as civil asset forfeiture. “Before your private property can be taken, you must, at least, be charged with a crime,” Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2016

A major trio of political players at the Florida Capitol are happy with the progress made Thursday on big-ticket priorities in the Legislature. The H2O Coalition, a water policy consortium affiliated with Associated Industries of Florida, applauded the further progress of what it calls comprehensive water reform in the Legislature. The praise comes after the […]

Tag: Matt Caldwell

Justin Pearson: Legislature should pass important reforms to civil forfeiture laws

Senate committee passes bill restructuring public land acquisition and management

Floridians confident their candidates will do well in New Hampshire and beyond

Charlie Dean, Matt Caldwell: New water legislation is effective

Capitol reax: Assignment of benefits, balanced billing

Everglades restoration bill unanimously passes House committee

On Everglades Action Day, environmental groups to urge lawmakers to set aside money for restoration projects

On Everglades Action Day, environmental groups to urge lawmakers to set aside money for restoration projects

Jeff Brandes draws diverse support for asset forfeiture overhaul

Big-name groups, leaders trumpet progress on legislative priorities