Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 12, 2017

A proposed conference to resolve differences between the House and Senate gambling bills, originally planned for this week, was postponed till next week. That’s because, as of Wednesday, lawmakers continued to talk with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has six casinos in the state. One lobbyist suggested an end game: Passing only a new […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2017

Former and current black lawmakers took to the Old Capitol steps Thursday to call for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace a statue of a Confederate general now in the U.S. Capitol. Led by Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, and surrounded by alumni members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha […]

Jim RosicaApril 5, 2017

A critic of the state’s “stand your ground” law Wednesday said a change to the law now moving through the Legislature will “make it easier for people to murder other human beings.” Lawmakers now are considering shifting the burden to prosecutors, making them disprove a claim of self-defense. Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 23, 2017

The leader of Florida’s black lawmakers Thursday said Gov. Rick Scott would not have stripped Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala of the Markeith Loyd murder case had she been a white Republican. “Absolutely not,” Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, told reporters at a news conference in the Capitol. Ayala, a Democrat, is black. Members of […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2017

A restoration of civil rights bill got an amendment from St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes that would give convicts the right to own guns after completing their sentence. SB 934, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Perry Thurston, would automatically restore all other civil rights, such as the right to vote, when a felon completes their […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2017

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Craft brewers can thank Chance the Rapper for getting this year’s beer bill over its first legislative hurdle. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Wednesday cleared the measure (SB 554) on a 6-3 vote. Democrats Perry Thurston and Randolph Bracy joined Republican Lizbeth Benacquisto in opposing the bill. But Oscar Braynon, the chamber’s Democratic […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

Perry Thurston Jr., now a state senator, has won the latest round in a court battle over state matching funds for his failed 2014 bid for Attorney General. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach Wednesday reversed a decision by the state’s Division of Elections, under Gov. Rick […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

The list of legislative hopefuls just keeps getting longer. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Dorothy Hukill is one of those thinking about her next election. State election records show she […]

Scott PowersJanuary 23, 2017

Two bills that would increase Bright Future scholarship benefits and rework how colleges and universities measure progress and deal with top professors sailed through the Florida Senate Education Committee Monday. Senate Bills 2 and 4, both introduced by Sen. Bill Galvano, drew some concerns about how they might affect non-traditional and working students but little […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 21, 2016

Senate Democrats have a new leader, voting unanimously Monday to name Sen. Oscar Braynon as the Minority Leader for the 2016-2018 term. “I want you, and others, to know that my greatest joy of being leader was the fact that you were the leader pro tempore and the leader designate,” said former Senate Minority Leader […]

Tag: Perry Thurston

Legislature still hasn’t begun conferencing on gambling legislation

Perry Thurston, others want Confederate statue issue resolved

Democrats decry change to ‘stand your ground’ law

Legislative Black Caucus says it supports Aramis Ayala

Jeff Brandes amendment would give felons gun rights

Craft beer debate includes … Chance the Rapper?

Appeals court rules for Perry Thurston in matching funds case

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020

Bill Galvano’s higher-ed reform bills sail through Senate committee

Senate Democrats elect Oscar Braynon as Democratic leader