Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 26, 2016

State Sen. Joe Negron has filed a new version of his bill to legalize and regulate fantasy sports play in Florida, including a provision to create a new “Office of Amusements.” Negron, a Stuart Republican and Senate President-designate, filed the new “Fantasy Contest Amusement Act” (SB 832) on Tuesday. It grew from four to 12 pages. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2016

One of the hottest issues facing lawmakers in the 2016 Legislative Session is the regulation of the daily fantasy sports industry. Moving toward that goal is HB 707: Fantasy Contests, sponsored by state Rep. Matt Gaetz, has recently move out the Business & Professions Subcommittee, its first stop in the Florida House. What the bill seeks to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

The race to succeed Matt Gaetz in HD 4 saw its first straw poll Wednesday on Okaloosa Island. And Destin Mayor Mel Ponder ran away with it. In a five person race, Ponder took almost 50 percent of the 78 votes cast. Ponder’s 35 votes almost doubled that of Jonathan Tallman, one of three political neophytes in the […]

Ryan RayJanuary 20, 2016

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will speak to reporters and the public about a pair of controversial gun bills circulating in the Legislature at her old state Capitol stamping grounds Thursday. Broward Sen. Chris Smith will join the Democratic National Committee chairwoman in Tallahassee to oppose legislative proposals to allow Floridians to openly carry firearms and to strike […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 15, 2016

One of the Legislature’s most stalwart opponents to gambling and its expansion in the Sunshine State nonetheless voted for a House bill that would explicitly legalize fantasy sports play in Florida. State Rep. Scott Plakon, a Longwood Republican, sits on the House Business and Professions Subcommittee that OK’d the bill (HB 707) by a 10-3 vote earlier […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 14, 2016

With the MLK Birthday Breakfast Friday calling him back to Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry will wrap up his Tallahassee trip Thursday after meetings galore. One would surmise that those meetings are intended to create buy-in for his pension sales tax proposal, which some worry was advanced a bit late for this Legislative Session. Curry’s meeting schedule […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 14, 2016

(UPDATE) Shortly after 8:30 a.m., the Oscar nominations will be announced from Hollywood, and yes, I actually give a fig. As an inveterate moviegoer, I still get excited about what the Establishment thinks about the product it puts out every year. Interestingly, while the Oscars are still among the most viewed television broadcasts globally every year, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2016

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A bill that would create statewide regulations for transportation network companies (TNCs) passed through the House Economics Affairs Committee on Wednesday. This is the third year in a row that such legislation has come before Florida lawmakers. Cities and counties creating their own rules on dealing with companies such as Uber and Lyft are applying more […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2016

Will the Florida Legislature address the issue of Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and Lyft in the 2016 Session? That remains an open question this week as the Legislature returns to Tallahassee for the Regular Session. On Wednesday afternoon, the House Economic Affairs Committee will discuss legislation sponsored by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2016

It’s a new year, but the issue remains at Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission: What to do about Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Uber and Lyft that continue to operate outside of the agency’s rules. That prompted Commission Chairman Victor Crist to threaten on Wednesday a radical solution if the Legislature doesn’t act this Legislative Session. “If […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz
TCEC line workers restoring power after Helene. Image via Facebook (TCEC).

New fantasy sports bill would create “Office of Amusement”

5 questions for Fantasy Sports Trade Association after DFS bill first committee stop

Mel Ponder dominates first HD 4 straw poll

Chris Smith to appear with Debbie Wasserman Schultz to address state gun measures

Scott Plakon: Fantasy sports play legal “under current law”

Lenny Curry wraps up Tallahassee junket Thursday with more pension tax meetings

Mitch Perry Report for 1.14.16 — And the nominees are?

Ride-sharing bill advances in House Economics committee

AFP backs Matt Gaetz legislation on ride-sharing

Victor Crist hints at “radical” move in Hillsborough if Legislature doesn’t act on Uber, Lyft