Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutOctober 29, 2015

Amid an ugly political brawl in which one senator publicly accused another of being a bully, the Florida Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved a new map for the state’s 40 senate districts. But some senators predicted shortly after the 22-18 vote that the proposal may not pass the Republican-controlled Florida House. That’s because the Senate […]

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed its redrawn district map by a close vote of 22-18, with all 14 Democrats and four Republicans opposed. It’s now up to the House of Representatives to OK the map as is or change it and send it back as the Special Session clock ticks to an end. “We now have […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

The “coalition plaintiffs” in the state Senate redistricting challenge announced Tuesday night they were submitting their own redrawn district map – weeks after the chairman of the chamber’s redistricting panel invited them to participate in the map-making process. The Senate set up its own map on Tuesday for a Wednesday vote, one that combines a version of South Florida districts […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

State Sens. Gwen Margolis and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla have filed their own versions of state Senate district maps, according to the chamber’s redistricting website. Margolis, a Miami Democrat, and Diaz de la Portilla, a Coral Gables Republican, submitted maps on Monday afternoon. Margolis filed one; Diaz de la Portilla turned in four. For details […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

A South Florida lawmaker is adding to the bills filed to regulate drones, with legislation making their owners and users liable for any injuries the remotely-piloted aircraft may cause. State Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, a Coral Gables Republican, filed the bill (SB 642) on Monday. The legislation would ensure that any injury in which […]

James CallApril 15, 2015

Abortion rights opponents and proponents packed a Senate meeting room Wednesday when the Judiciary Committee took up a proposal to mandate a 24-hour waiting period. SB 724 requires a face-to-face meeting between a physician and a woman to discuss the procedure at least 24 hours before it is performed. “When one makes a major decision […]

Ryan RayApril 9, 2015

A bill to prohibit the sale of powdered alcohol — known as Palcohol — before it has even arrived in Florida retailers passed another test in the Senate on Thursday. The ban was unanimously approved the Rules Committee. Sen. Gwen Margolis’ SB 998 now awaits a vote by the full Senate. Brandon Sen. Tom Lee spoke for many […]

Phil AmmannApril 7, 2015

A Catholic student group and two colleges are the latest organizations to voice support for the fight for statewide discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Winter Park-based Rollins College joins a coalition of 30 major Florida employers, including the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, in supporting the Competitive Workforce Act. The […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

President Barack Obama‘s diplomatic breakthrough with Cuba in December has been met mostly with approval in the Tampa Bay area from political and business leaders. A Pinellas County delegation visited the communist island for the first time in January, while the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is planning another visit in May. Tampa area U.S. […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ SB 934, which preempts local governments from creating labor agreements with contractors containing certain wage, residency or diversity requirements, found an unlikely “No” vote in Senate Community Affairs this afternoon: Brandes himself. The vote was part of a legislative maneuver undertaken by Brandes to bring his bill back from the dead. After […]

Tag: Miguel Diaz de la Portilla
Image via AP.

What’s next after Florida Senate narrowly approves new Senate map

Senate passes new district map, sends to House

Plaintiffs now say they’re filing their own Senate district map

More Senate district maps filed Monday

Miguel Diaz de la Portilla files drone bill

Abortion waiting period advances, constitutional questions unanswered

Gwen Margolis’ Palcohol ban progresses in Senate

2 colleges, Catholic law school group join fight for Competitive Workforce Act

Senate denounces Obama overture to Cuba

Local government labor contracts bill narrowly cheats death