Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation to implement a constitutional amendment to give tax breaks to companies that buy and install solar devices and equipment. The St. Petersburg Republican filed Senate Bill 90, the Amendment 4 implementing bill Thursday. “The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear that they expect the sunshine state to make […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 28, 2016

Sen. Jeff Brandes will once again file legislation to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance requirement, saying it’s time for Florida to move away from the troubled system. The St. Petersburg Republican said repealing the state’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system will be one of his top priorities during the 2017 legislative session. The decision […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 9, 2016

House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran rolled out his leadership team Wednesday afternoon, tapping Miami Rep. Jeanette Nunez as as his House speaker pro tempore and Rep. Carlos Trujillo to be chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. In a memo to House members Wednesday, the Land O’Lakes Republican rolled out Republican leadership and committee chairs. Corcoran […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 26, 2016

With this being a presidential election year, when Democrats historically show up in greater numbers at the polls, the Florida Democratic Party is targeting several key legislative races in Hillsborough County which they hope to flip from red to blue. One of them is the House District 59 seat in Eastern Hillsborough County currently held by Dover Republican Ross […]

Mitch PerryAugust 23, 2016

Supporters of expanding the use of solar power in Florida held a roundtable discussion on the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg campus on Tuesday to discuss how the passage of Amendment 4 next week could crack open resistance to alternative energy sources in the Sunshine State. Amendment 4 exempts solar devices and equipment from being subject […]

Tag: Ray Rodrigues

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

Jeff Brandes files Amendment 4 implementing bill

Repealing PIP, implementing Amendment 4 top priorities for Jeff Brandes in 2017

Richard Corcoran rolls out leadership team, announces committee chairs appointments

Ross Spano feels confident about challenge to retain his HD 59 seat in Hillsborough County

Advocates extoll the virtues of Amendment 4 in roundtable discussion at USFSP campus