Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2015

Editor’s note: As the 2015 Legislative Session kicks into high gear, FloridaPolitics.com is continuing to report on several “legislative food fights” during the annual lawmaking period. These kerfuffles don’t always make the front page of the traditional media outlets, but they are the kind of industry vs. industry or intra-industry turf battles that drive Tallahassee — […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

On Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Florida Cannabis Action Network was now “developing a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana, based on the likelihood that the Florida Legislature will be unwilling to create a comprehensive medical-only program in coming weeks.” Uh, not exactly, says FCAN executive director Jodi James. “The ballot initiative idea […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

On Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Florida Cannabis Action Network was now “developing a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana, based on the likelihood that the Florida Legislature will be unwilling to create a comprehensive medical-only program in coming weeks.” Uh, not exactly, says FCAN executive director Jodi James. “The ballot initiative idea […]

James CallMarch 11, 2015

It’s coming down to the wire with the finishing line on the move. A deadline to challenge the proposed rule for the state’s medicinal marijuana law is March 24, according to the Department of Health, not Thursday. “The later date is due to the Revised Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs, which was prepared in response to the […]

James CallMarch 11, 2015

It’s coming down to the wire with the finishing line on the move. A deadline to challenge the proposed rule for the state’s medicinal marijuana law is March 24, according to the Department of Health, not Thursday. “The later date is due to the Revised Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs, which was prepared in response to the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2015

A pair of Florida legislative leaders will be taking a break from official business to act as “dueling celebrity bartenders” for charity Wednesday at a Tallahassee fundraiser. It’s the inaugural Red Dog/Blue Dog Bipartisan Celebrity Bartender event, beginning 6:30 p.m. at Madison Social in Tallahassee. Until 8 p.m., Fort Walton Beach Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2015

A pair of Florida legislative leaders will be taking a break from official business to act as “dueling celebrity bartenders” for charity Wednesday at a Tallahassee fundraiser. It’s the inaugural Red Dog/Blue Dog Bipartisan Celebrity Bartender event, beginning 6:30 p.m. at Madison Social in Tallahassee. Until 8 p.m., Fort Walton Beach Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

At the end of the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Capitol City’s newspaper printed an editorial cartoon that compared lobbyists to great white sharks. The cartoon asks which species pose a greater threat to Floridians; paid advocates or Jaws. Psychologists tell us we see what we know and what we know influences […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation that would allow share-riding companies Uber and Lyft to operate legally in Florida, and would also change the current composition of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — an agency that Brandes tried to kill in proposed legislation a year ago. The Brandes bill on the […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz
Image via TCEC.

Where does sh*t stand — the “legislative food fights” edition

No, FCAN isn't about to pursue a pot legalization amendment

No, FCAN isn’t about to pursue a pot legalization amendment

Charlotte’s Web challenge deadline now is March 24

Charlotte's Web challenge deadline now is March 24

Matt Gaetz, Alan Williams to "duel" for pet charity

Matt Gaetz, Alan Williams to “duel” for pet charity

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel

The week that was in Florida politics

Jeff Brandes bill would reduce local choice of representation on Hillsborough County PTC