Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2016

For the first time in four years, legislation that would create a needle exchange program aimed at curbing the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis in Miami-Dade County is headed to the governor’s desk. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the IDEA Act (the Miami-Dade Infectious Disease Elimination Act”), sponsored by Plantation Democrat Katie […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 17, 2016

Sen. Joe Negron’s SB 832 declares that “fantasy contests” — meaning endeavors such as DraftKings and FanDuel — “involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling, gaming or games of chance.” Negron, R-Stuart and a Senate-president-to-be, would regulate this non-gambling via a newly created Office of Amusement. It’s not “gambling,” it’s an […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

A bill that would authorize the University of Miami and its affiliates to establish a sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County has advanced in the Florida House of Representatives. The Disease Prevention Act (HB 81) is being sponsored by Sunrise Democrat Katie Edwards. It passed the House Health and Human Services Committee on […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2016

What’s with Republicans when it comes to HIV/AIDS? President Ronald Reagan refused to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s when it was mysterious and at its peak. Gov. Rick Scott refuses to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis today in Florida when the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) can […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 25, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, the CEO […]

Ryan RayOctober 29, 2015

A working group of engineers, researchers, and municipal officials from four South Florida counties has amended their short- and long-term projections on the severity of rising sea levels Thursday, saying they expect six to 10 inches of sea level rise by 2030, and between 28 and 57 inches by 2100. The four-county Southeast Florida Regional […]

Matthew IsbellOctober 15, 2015

On October 14th, just a few days before special session begins, the state legislature released six proposed base maps for its state senate lines. Each map is different in some areas and similar in others. From these six proposals the legislature must try and come to an agreement on one final map; something they failed […]

Melissa RossSeptember 22, 2015

Florida’s a big, complex state. Different cities deal with different issues and often seem like they are on different planets. For example, in conservative Jacksonville the City Council just signed off on a new budget that keeps taxes low and prioritizes public safety, big concerns in Duval. Meanwhile, down in drowning Miami-Dade, Mayor Carlos Gimenez […]

Tag: Miami-Dade
Donald Trump signs first executive orders of second term. Image via AP.

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Florida House passes needle exchange pilot for Miami-Dade

Jac VerSteeg: Fantasy sports aren’t gambling? How amusing

Miami-Dade’s needle exchange pilot project advances in House

Chris Timmons: Legislature must use common sense, compassion to combat HIV/AIDS

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s “wide-open” alternative to the Seminole Compact

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s ‘wide open’ alternative to the Seminole Compact

Southeast Florida regional climate group amends sea level rise projections

The ultimate guide to the six state Senate base maps

Miami-Dade hires “resiliency officer” to fight effects of sea level rise