Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineMarch 24, 2017

Legislation that would exempt medical marijuana from sales taxes would cost $24.3 million per year to Florida’s tax receipts, according to an estimate by state economists Friday. HB 1397, by Fort Myers Republican Ray Rodrigues, is one of five medical marijuana bills to enact Amendment 2 that are circulating in the Legislature. It would impose […]

Ben PollaraMarch 22, 2017

Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues claims to have polled Floridians on whether they want marijuana legalized. They do not. Undisclosed interests hired a political consultant, who then hired Donald Trump‘s pollster to ask the same question. They got the same answer: 48 percent oppose legalization, while 46 percent support it. I have two questions that don’t […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2017

Because polling in 2016 showed less than half of all Floridians want to legalize marijuana outright, Ray Rodrigues believes he is doing the right thing by pushing regulations that ban people from smoking cannabis or using edible pot. “Here’s what we know,” the Fort Myers House Republican told former Congressman David Jolly on AM 820 WWBA Thursday […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2017

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee approved an assignment of benefits reform bill Tuesday. The bill links fees to pre-litigation offers of judgment and requires policyholders receive notice if a contractor files suit. “The Consumer Protection Coalition applauds Rep. Jamie Grant and House leadership for taking on the issue of Assignment of Benefits fraud and […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2017

Voters across the state will be getting robo-calls blasting their representative for voting for a bill to kill Enterprise Florida. POLITICO Florida reported that Let’s Get to Work, the political committee backing Gov. Rick Scott, has funded another round of robocalls hitting Republicans who voted for a bill (HB 7005) that would eliminate Enterprise Florida […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 1, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes wants a total overhaul of the state’s medical marijuana laws, filing legislation to repeal current law dealing with low-THC cannabis and replace it with a new regulatory system. The St. Petersburg Republican filed the legislation (SB 614) Wednesday. A long-time critic of the current medical marijuana system, Brandes’ bill has the potential […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 23, 2017

Drug Free America is urging Florida lawmakers to “proceed with caution” as they begin crafting legislation to implement the state’s newest medical marijuana law. “While we were opposed to Amendment 2 for a number of specific reasons, we recognize Florida voters have spoken,” said Calvina Fay, the executive director of Drug Free America, in a statement. “We also […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 11, 2017

The Florida House will push to make medical marijuana tax exempt, according the sponsor of the yet-to-be filed bill implementing Amendment 2. While lawmakers are in the early stages of drafting an implementing bill, House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues said the House does not plan to include a tax on medical marijuana in its proposal. […]

Bob SparksDecember 20, 2016

Just like that, it was over. In Tallahassee and around the country, 538 electors cast their ballots to officially elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. Of course, they did. There was never going to be a different outcome. Never. Florida’s 29 electors gathered in the Senate Chamber to do what […]

Jim RosicaDecember 19, 2016

As expected, Florida’s 29 Republican members of the Electoral College on Monday cast their vote for Donald Trump for president and Mike Pence for vice president. The electors are among Florida’s most loyal Republicans. They were chosen by the state GOP and approved by Gov. Rick Scott. The votes were cast as dozens of protesters […]

Tag: Ray Rodrigues
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Revenue conference prices sales tax exemption for medical marijuana

Ben Pollara: Medical marijuana implementation for the 29, 48 … or 71 percent?

Ray Rodrigues stance on medical marijuana angers Amendment 2 advocates

Capitol Reax: AOB reform, workers compensation, medical marijuana, gun bills

Report: Rick Scott committee releases robocall targeting Republicans who support killing Enterprise Florida

Jeff Brandes files medical marijuana implementing bill

Drug Free America urges caution as lawmakers discuss Amendment 2 implementation

Ray Rodrigues: House bill won’t include tax on medical marijuana

Electoral College vote a non-story unless Donald Trump is involved

Donald Trump wins all votes of Florida’s Electoral College