Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Rosanne DunkelbergerFebruary 27, 2017

People don’t come to Florida’s Capitol without an agenda, and when they want to share it with the world, you can bet they’ll plan a news conference/media availability to share it via the Fourth Estate. Wednesday was particularly rich with such events; I was assigned to go to ‘em all. As a babe in these […]

Erin ClarkFebruary 23, 2017

A day after Florida’s House Education Committee voted to send a memorial to Congress seeking fewer strings tied to federal education funding, a health policy panel made the same request for health care funding. The House Health Innovation Subcommittee on Wednesday approved sending a memorial to Congress asking lawmakers to consider giving Medicaid funding to the states […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2017

Congressman Matt Gaetz was in the Capitol Wednesday to discuss health care reform, including his support for a block grant funding method for Medicaid, the joint state-federal health care program for the poor. After a structured media availability, the former state representative elected to Congress last year held a more informal gaggle with members of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 6, 2017

Will 2017 finally be the year the state of Florida implements a statewide regulatory framework for ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to operate under? Legislators have failed to produce a bill over the past three regular sessions in Tallahassee, but hope springs eternal that all parties can come together this year. On Wednesday, members of […]

Larry GriffinFebruary 1, 2017

The Huffington Post reported Wednesday that newly-elected Rep. Matt Gaetz, representing the First District of Florida, has a bill drafted that would abolish the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill was talked about in an email Gaetz sent to lawmakers who might co-sponsor the legislation. It was obtained by the Huffington Post and other news outlets like The Hill. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 31, 2017

Ballard Partners is extending its reach, announcing it is opening an office in Washington, D.C. Brian Ballard, the firm’s president, announced this week Ballard Partners has opened an office in the nation’s capital. The announcement comes just weeks after President Donald Trump, who Ballard supported, took the oath of office. “There is great enthusiasm with […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2017

Congressman Matt Gaetz, also an attorney, has won an appeal that should allow a Walton County couple to continue operating a skydiving business on their 290-acre farm near Paxton. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal issued its unanimous decision Tuesday for James and Melanie Nipper. He “had a distinguished career as a U.S. Army […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2017

Sis-boom-bah: state Sen. Greg Steube has filed legislation to legalize consumer fireworks in Florida. Steube, the Sarasota Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed his bill (SB 324) Tuesday. The legislation appears to be identical to a bill (HB 4005) filed for the 2014 Legislative Session by then-state Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach […]

Scott PowersJanuary 10, 2017

With a bipartisan gathering of other Florida congressional members, Orlando’s former police chief Val Demings, now a congresswoman from Orlando, led the House of Representatives in a moment to remember and honor Orlando’s fallen officers Monday night. “I rise today to honor the lives of Master Sgt. Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department and Deputy Norm Lewis […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2017

Freshman Congress members, led by Rep. John Rutherford (a former Jacksonville sheriff), called for President Barack Obama to “light the White House blue” on Monday. The significance is obvious: the blue light denotes support for law enforcement on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is Monday. This support is especially critical in the wake of the assassination of a […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz

Eight-hour shoes and a whirlwind of press conferences

Federalism message echoed by Florida health subcommittee members

VIDEO: Matt Gaetz in Tallahassee to promote Medicaid block grants

Legislature to hear this week bills regulating ridesharing companies

Matt Gaetz’s drafted bill would abolish the Environmental Protection Agency

Ballard Partners going national, opens D.C. office

Matt Gaetz wins appeal for northwest Florida skydiving business

Greg Steube files fireworks legalization bill

Val Demings, Florida members, lead moment in Congress to remember Orlando’s fallen officers

House freshmen to Pres. Obama: light the White House blue