Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 11, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam will be raising money in Southwest Florida Thursday evening alongside former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp. Kottkamp, who was former Gov. Charlie Crist’s No. 2, and his wife, Cyndie, are hosting the fundraiser at their North Fort Myers home. The reception is set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. Joining Kottkamp, […]

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Jim RosicaMay 26, 2018

Quoting George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, a Florida judge has ruled that the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana is unconstitutional. In a 22-page order released Friday, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said that the ban on smoking is “invalid because it conflicts” with the constitutional amendment on medicinal cannabis approved by statewide voters in 2016. A one-day […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has dismissed one of the plaintiffs in John Morgan‘s legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. Roberto Pickering of Leon County, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, was one of three patients with a chronic illness who want to smoke medicinal cannabis under a state constitutional amendment passed in 2016. In an […]

Phil AmmannApril 11, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Holly Maxwell is the committee receptionist for Senate Appropriations. Off: Jay Shannon and Jacob Flaherty are no longer legislative assistants for Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Gary Farmer. Off: Marilyn Barnes is no longer […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 5, 2018

The three independent campuses affiliated with the University of South Florida network could soon be consolidated under one accreditation. The House passed a bill Monday afternoon that, if signed into law, would require two smaller auxiliary campuses, USF St. Petersburg and USF Manatee/Sarasota, to become part of the main USF Tampa campus by July 1, 2020. The […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has set a one-day trial for May 16 in the legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. But in her order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said she will first hear the state’s motion for summary judgment at 10 o’clock that morning; summary judgments allow parties to win a case without a […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

Ever since legislation calling for consolidating the University of South Florida System was unveiled in mid-January, officials from the St. Petersburg community have raised serious objections. The bill, sponsored by Estero Republican Ray Rodrigues (HB 423), would make USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee operate separately from the main campus in Tampa under its own accreditation. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 25, 2018

A group supporting a wave of first-time candidates for elected office took out a full-page ad in the Sunday edition of the Sun-Sentinel calling on Floridians to run against NRA-backed state lawmakers in 2018. The Run for Something ad states “The NRA is killing our kids” at the top and then includes an sheet with […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2018

Two Democratic lawmakers are calling for “meaningful dialogue” before moving on legislation to consolidate the University of South Florida campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee with the main Tampa campus. State Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Ben Diamond, who represent St. Petersburg in the Legislature, sent a joint letter Friday to USF Board of Trustees President Brian Lamb. It is just […]

Tag: Ray Rodrigues

Jeff Kottkamp hosting Adam Putnam fundraiser Thursday

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Judge strikes down ban on smoking medical marijuana

John Morgan’s ‘no smoke’ marijuana lawsuit loses a plaintiff

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

House passes USF consolidation plan

Judge sets trial for medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case

Last-hour effort to delay USF System consolidation fails

Run for Something ad highlights unopposed Florida lawmakers with NRA ties

Darryl Rouson, Ben Diamond worry of ‘unintended consequences’ in USF consolidation