Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 1, 2018

The Associated Industries of Florida on Tuesday released a report measuring how closely Florida lawmakers’ votes aligned with its interests. The conservative business group’s 2018 Voting Records report found a slight uptick in lawmaker support for AIF-backed legislation, with 78 percent of the Senate and 91 percent of the House voting in favor of its […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell announced another block endorsement for his Agriculture Commissioner campaign from colleagues in the Florida House Monday, this time mostly from the Tampa Bay area. “I am proud to receive the endorsements from my colleagues. I will continue to work hard to earn support from Floridians across the Sunshine State, who […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 1, 2017

Should the United States Congress bar people from using food stamps to buy soft drinks? Two Florida lawmakers contend just that. Fernandina Beach Republican Sen. Aaron Bean and Lecanto Republican Rep. Ralph Massullo filed “memorial” legislation (SM 1016;H 847) that would urge the feds to disqualify soda and related beverages from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) […]

Jim RosicaNovember 15, 2017

A litany of lawsuits continues to jam up the state’s medical marijuana licensure process, the state’s top marijuana official told House lawmakers Wednesday. Christian Bax, executive director of the state Health Department’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, gave the House Health Quality Subcommittee an overview of his work, including the latest tally of legal challenges. “(Our) position […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 23, 2017

Republican State Rep. Frank White picked up another endorsement in his bid for attorney general Monday morning — and like his previous two endorsements, this one also speaks to White’s “statewide coalition” in the making. State Rep. Ralph Massullo, a medical doctor representing Citrus and Hernando Counties in the Florida House, announced his backing for White […]

Peter SchorschJune 18, 2017

Rep. Randy Fine has officially dropped out of the Speaker’s race, telling his colleagues he would rather be a “member of a unified team than the leader of a fractured one.” In a lengthy email to his classmates Friday night, the Brevard County Republican explained why initially got into the Speaker’s race and why — […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

As the medical marijuana implementation bill winds its way through the Special Session, some lawmakers still are grappling with whether smoking medicinal cannabis is the same as ‘vaping’ it. Before the Health and Human Services Committee approved the House bill (HB 5A) on Wednesday night, members asked bill sponsor Ray Rodrigues, the House Republican Leader from […]

Staff ReportsJune 6, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Hope Holt, formerly calendar coordinator in the House Clerk’s Office, is now serving as a program specialist for the Office of Professional Development. Off: Tina White stepped down as policy chief for the House Criminal Justice […]

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 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 […]

Tag: Ralph Massullo

Republican lawmakers earn high grades on Associated Industries’ report card

Matt Caldwell announces ‘seventh wave’ of endorsements for Ag Commissioner bid

Lawmakers want soda pop banned as SNAP purchase

Legal challenges bog down medical cannabis process

Ralph Massullo backs Frank White’s GOP AG bid

Epilogue: Randy Fine explains to colleagues why he dropped out of Speaker’s race

Are vaping and smoking the same? Ray Rodrigues won’t say

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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

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