Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 21, 2017

Freshman House Republicans are inching closer to picking their leader, holding a weekend caucus meeting to hear from candidates. A majority of GOP freshmen met this weekend at a Central Florida law firm to discuss the 2022 Speaker’s Race. The meeting, which was first reported by Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, comes about a week after […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2017

Even after meeting dozens of times throughout the 2017 Legislative Session, the House GOP freshman caucus failed to adopt new rules on how to pick a leader. A caucus to ratify rules — drafted by Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant — to guide the freshman class’s decision-making process met Friday during a break in the […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Phil AmmannMay 1, 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: Charlotte Jones has replaced Roshanda Jackson as district secretary for Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Kimberly Daniels. On: Joshua Winograd is a new legislative assistant for Delray Beach Democratic Rep. Emily Slosberg. Off: Karol Molinares is no longer […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2017

Is there a politician in Florida right now on more of a hot streak than Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry? This issue of Bold tells the tale. Curry’s pension reform appears to be on a glide path toward ratification — a major accomplishment. His moves toward downtown revitalization have a major shot in the arm, with […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 20, 2017

A bill seeking to expand what optometrists could do — namely, performing surgery and prescribing opiates — was an agenda item in the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee Thursday. However, the bill at the center of Florida’s Eyeball Wars went unheard. HB 1037, sponsored by Rep. Manny Diaz, barely cleared Health and Human Services […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

An updated draft of rules governing the election of the Republican’s freshman caucus leader — and eventual Speaker of the House — moves up the organizational meeting and stipulates a member found in violation of Republican conference rules would be ineligible for consideration. Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant have been tasked with writing draft […]

Drew WilsonApril 4, 2017

A bill that would make a long list of election law changes made it through its first Senate panel Tuesday with a unanimous vote. SB 1160, sponsored by Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, has the approval of many supervisors of elections in the state. Among the changes it would make are requiring candidates pay […]

Peter SchorschMarch 30, 2017

In a sense, Jacksonville is the cradle of Republicanism. The city has a politically active Republican mayor. The City Council: majority Republican. Republican Governor. Republican Legislature. What could go wrong? How about the imminent end of the economic boom? Look at what’s happening to CSX. Hunter Harrison, 72, was brought in to run the operation, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 16, 2017

The House Health and Human Services Committee sent bills that would allow direct primary care agreements and overnight stays in ambulatory surgery centers to the House floor Thursday HB 161 would allow patients and their physicians to enter into direct primary care agreements, an alternative to traditional health care plans. Under such agreements, patients pay […]

Tag: Paul Renner
Alexandra Islas. Image via New College of Florida.

Speaker’s race heads toward June 30 vote after weekend meeting

House GOP freshmen fail to adopt rules for Speaker’s race, putting leadership battle into chaos

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Jacksonville Bold for 4.21.17 — Political capital, boldfaced

‘Eyeball Wars’ bill, slated for House committee, goes unheard Thursday

Newest draft rules governing 2022 Speaker race: Members not eligible for nomination if they violate GOP conference rules

Bill backed by supervisors of elections clears its first Senate panel

Jacksonville Bold 3.31.17 — Too much of a good thing

Bills allowing overnight stays in ambulatory surgery centers, direct primary care agreements ready for House floor