Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 10, 2015

Republican Bay County Commissioner George Gainer passed Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz in fundraising in October, and the gap between the two Senate District 1 candidates got a bit wider last month, according to recently filed campaign finance reports. Gainer posted $42,285 in November contributions and spent $57,313, leaving him with $557,747 on-hand heading into December. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday said he won’t object if lawmakers approve a bill putting him in charge of regulating fantasy sports play in the state. Putnam spoke to reporters during an informal “pen and pad” question-and-answer session in advance of the 2016 Legislative Session that starts Jan. 12. State Sen. Joe Negron […]

Mitch PerryDecember 8, 2015

The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation spent hours (and hours) on Tuesday discussing proposed legislation that would bring ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft into compliance with the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, but whether they actually moved the issue forward at the end of the day is dubious. The setting for the local group of state lawmakers […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A bill that would allow for stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida unanimously cleared its second Senate review panel. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the measure (SB 460) on Thursday. State Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican behind the bill, said it was aimed at allowing stronger but still non-smokeable marijuana for […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is trying to win support for his $1 billion tax cut package. Scott on Tuesday spent more than an hour before a House legislative committee defending his push for his tax cuts, many targeted toward businesses. It was a rare sight for the governor to spend so much time interacting with […]

Ryan RayNovember 24, 2015

Northwest Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his support of a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott to overhaul the state’s public-private business recruiting vehicle, Enterprise Florida. Scott is seeking to create a $250 million fund to help sustain Enterprise Florida Inc., which uses revenues from the state and other sources to encourage out-of-state businesses to create jobs in the state. “I’m proud […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz has started a petition drive to “block the entry of all Syrian refugees into the United States,” he said in a Monday email. “America has a rich history of accepting foreign refugees, but when it comes to the safety and security of the American people, there are some risks we simply […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

The five nurseries in Florida approved to grow and distribute medical marijuana were announced Monday by the Department of Health, putting an end to a months-long wait by parents and their sick children who need the drug to control severe seizures. The approved nurseries by region are: Hackney Nursery Co. (Northwest) Chestnut Hill Tree Farm (Northeast) Knox Nursery (Central) Alpha […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday barely passed a controversial bill that would allow people with a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry a gun openly. House Bill 163 is being sponsored in the House by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz. It passed with Pinellas County Republicans Chris […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 17, 2015

“Opponents of fantasy sports are determined to take away our right to play, so we need to make our voices heard before it’s too late.” This chilling message, in an email from FanDuel Action, lays bare the existential threat to daily fantasy sports, urging enthusiasts to “support [a] common-sense bill to protect fantasy sports for all […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz falls behind as George Gainer widens fundraising gap in SD 1 race

Adam Putnam says he’s OK with regulating fantasy sports play

Hillsborough Legislative Delegation OKs measure to regulate Uber and Lyft, but future unclear

Bill allowing stronger medical marijuana advances in House

Rick Scott makes personal pitch for $1 billion in tax cuts

Matt Gaetz backs Rick Scott’s Enterprise Florida requests

Email Insights: Matt Gaetz starts petition drive to keep refugees out of Fla.

Plagued by delays, Fla. Health Department awards licenses to grow medical pot

Open carry weapons bill advances in House

Email Insights: FanDuel Action advocates for Joe Negron/Matt Gaetz fantasy sports bill