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Staff ReportsAugust 15, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the most recent movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Barbara Crosier is replacing Michael Poche as policy chief for the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. Off and on: Alex Bickley changed roles from district secretary to legislative assistant for Lady Lake Republican Sen. […]

Staff ReportsAugust 4, 2017

A baby’s death and a flying extension ladder, both happening in the late 1990s, resulted in two of the many claim bills already filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. The first, filed by Democratic Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, is for $2.4 million for the death of 5-month-old Nicholas Patnode, who was seen at the Martin County Health […]

Peter SchorschAugust 4, 2017

Two Florida Democrats filed claims bills for the 2018 Legislative session this week, one of which would pay a Franklin County company for trees destroyed in a prescribed burn and another that would compensate a Miami-Dade man for a shaky rape and robbery conviction. Tallahassee Sen. Bill Montford’s SB 34 seeks to compensate Shuler Limited […]

Peter SchorschJune 8, 2017

May was a busy month for Andrew Gillum. Like his opponents, he racked up several key endorsements; former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Senate Democratic Leader-designate Jeff Clemens, Sen. Perry Thurston, state Rep. Joe Abruzzo and Palm Beach County Tax Collector for life, Anne Gannon. Gillum spoke at Tiger Bay and his campaign sent out numerous press releases […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

Sen. Perry Thurston has thrown his support behind Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum in the race to replace Gov. Rick Scott. Thurston, the chairman of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, announced Tuesday he was endorsing Gillum in his 2018 gubernatorial bid. In a statement, Thurston said Gillum has led the way on “healthcare, education and climate […]

Phil AmmannApril 22, 2017

Marco Rubio has ‘no doubt’ state Sen. Frank Artiles‘ did the right thing by resigning from the Florida Legislature Friday in the wake of a racist and sexist outburst against two lawmakers. Elected officials are rightfully “held to a different standard,” Rubio said. “You hold a public trust, you are a representative of those districts, and you are going […]

Jim RosicaApril 21, 2017

Sen. Perry Thurston “welcome(d) the news of Senator Frank Artiles’ resignation today from the Florida Senate,” he said in a Friday statement. “On behalf of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, …we regret that this action was necessary, but we believe it was the right action to take,” said Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat. […]

Staff ReportsApril 21, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron said former Sen. Frank Artiles made the “right decision” to resign. The Miami-area Republican resigned his seat Friday rather than face a hearing that could have resulted in his explusion from the Senate. “Senator Artiles made the right decision,” ,” said Negron in a statement. “As Senator Artiles has noted, he […]

Jim RosicaApril 21, 2017

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Sen. Audrey Gibson on Thursday publicly responded to fellow Sen. Frank Artiles‘ racially-charged invective aimed at her earlier this week, saying she’s unsure she can be “comfortable” continuing to serve with Artiles in the Senate. Gibson appeared at a press conference with Sen. Perry Thurston and a group of Tallahassee-area pastors at the city’s Bethel Missionary Baptist […]

Brendan FarringtonApril 20, 2017

A lawyer representing a state senator who could be punished for using a racial slur and other vulgarities said Thursday that the remarks — as offensive as they were — are protected by free speech and that other senators have used similar language. Tallahassee attorney Steve Andrews wrote to the Senate lawyer reviewing the case […]

Tag: Perry Thurston
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Government negligence from the ’90s leads to claim bills

Pair of claims bills filed for 2018 session

Andrew Gillum posting a goose egg? Say it ain’t so

Perry Thurston backs Andrew Gillum for Governor

Marco Rubio: With ‘higher standard’ for lawmakers, Frank Artiles was right to resign

Perry Thurston: Frank Artiles’ resignation was ‘right action’

Joe Negron: Frank Artiles ‘made the right decision’

Audrey Gibson responds to Frank Artiles’ ‘horrific’ tirade

Lawyer: Frank Artiles’ racial slurs offensive, but also free speech