Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 11, 2017

Election Day is 13 months away but a handful of rock star candidates, both Republicans and Democrats, have already started to break away from the pack in crowded races for open House seats. Most of them saw a dip in September – blame it on the rain – but each remains the leader in their […]

Drew WilsonAugust 29, 2017

Termed-out Republican Rep. Michael Bileca announced Tuesday he is backing Vance Aloupis to replace him in House District 115 next year. “I am proud to endorse Vance for the Florida House of Representatives,” Bileca said. “His commitment to ensuring our children receive a world-class education that prepares them to be citizens of character and virtue […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that, among other things, sends more public money to privately-run charter schools. The legislation, a top priority for House Speaker Richard Corcoran, also requires recess in elementary schools, makes changes to the state’s standardized testing system, and includes millions of dollars for teacher bonuses. The […]

Guest AuthorMay 8, 2017

“It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men (and women)” — Frederick Douglass It is incredible how many societal ills arise out of a failure to educate, in the fullest sense of the word, the children of our great state. We utter platitudes like, “we must do better,” as we watch […]

Gary FineoutMarch 30, 2017

Calling it an “emergency,” Florida may agree to spend up to $200 million to shift students from chronically failing schools to charter schools run by private organizations. The idea crafted by House Speaker Richard Corcoran and other top Republicans in the Florida House is this: Offer up money to help build “Schools of Hope” in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2017

The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee passed its version of the public school recess bill, setting lawmakers on two very different paths when it comes to free play. The committee approved a committee substitute for the bill (HB 67) that would allow school boards to include free-play recess for students in kindergarten through third grade as […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2017

Voters across the state will be getting robo-calls blasting their representative for voting for a bill to kill Enterprise Florida. POLITICO Florida reported that Let’s Get to Work, the political committee backing Gov. Rick Scott, has funded another round of robocalls hitting Republicans who voted for a bill (HB 7005) that would eliminate Enterprise Florida […]

Drew WilsonMarch 1, 2017

A second candidate has filed to take over for term-limited Republican Rep. Michael Bileca in 2018. Vance Aloupis, the CEO of the Children’s Movement of Florida, filed to run for the seat as a Republican Wednesday. Currently, the only other candidate running for the seat is Republican Carmen Sotomayor, who unsuccessfully ran for HD 117 […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 14, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Tiffany Harrington has replaced Heather Williamson as House staff director of the Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining. On: Teri Cariota, formerly an aide to former Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 24, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Charles Smith, previously district secretary for Broward County Republican Rep. George Moraitis, is now his legislative assistant. On: Dennis Ragosta is the new district secretary for Ocala Republican Rep. Charlie […]

Tag: Michael Bileca

Hurricane impacted fundraising efforts of top-tier legislative candidates

Michael Bileca backs Vance Aloupis to succeed him in HD 115

Capitol Reax: Rick Scott signs HB 7069

Michael Bileca and Manny Diaz: Florida’s educational industrial complex earned need to be reformed

Florida may shift students away from failing schools

House panel approves scaled back version of school recess bill

Report: Rick Scott committee releases robocall targeting Republicans who support killing Enterprise Florida

Second Republican files to run for House District 115 in 2018

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round