Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannAugust 29, 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: Sean White is no longer listed as a legislative analyst in the Senate Majority Office. On: Angela Herndon became administrative support for the House Government Accountability Committee and its subcommittees (Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs; Natural Resources […]

Mitch PerryAugust 28, 2017

Republican candidate for governor Jack Latvala, who’s been aggressive in saying that Florida needs to do more to deal with the exploding opioid epidemic, on Monday called on Gov. Rick Scott to fund another $20 million to address the problem. Latvala, a Clearwater state senator and Appropriations Committee chair, also is calling on Scott to immediately […]

Staff ReportsAugust 15, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the most recent movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Barbara Crosier is replacing Michael Poche as policy chief for the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. Off and on: Alex Bickley changed roles from district secretary to legislative assistant for Lady Lake Republican Sen. […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

Democratic state Rep. David Richardson is formally announcing his candidacy Monday to run for Congress in Florida’s 27th Congressional district, a seat Democrats are clamoring for now that longtime incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros–Lehtinen is retiring. “Our country is headed in the wrong direction, and we need bold leaders to help turn things around. That’s […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 25, 2017

Sen. Rene Garcia is weighing in on a multi-million dollar bridge project planned for South Florida, telling the Florida Department of Transportation that the Miami-Dade community can’t wait any longer. In a letter to FDOT Secretary Rachel Cone this week, Garcia said he was confident the procurement process established by the state transportation agency “followed […]

Mitch PerryMay 15, 2017

Hialeah-based Republican state Sen. Rene Garcia is not running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District, the seat being vacated next year by 29-year incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. “While the district represents a great part of the community and county that I love, I cannot continue to serve the public knowing that I would be abandoning the city of Hialeah and the […]

Phil AmmannApril 23, 2017

Florida’s business rent tax is one of the outstanding issues at play as lawmakers crawl toward sine die of the 2017 Legislative Session, set for May 5. As the only state-sanctioned sales tax on commercial leases in the entire nation, a pair of bills now making way through the Florida Capitol that attempt to lighten […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

An ongoing debate in Florida has revolved around whether foster care or group care is the best way forward for the kids who need it. This question, as is the case with so many “safety net” questions, depends on who you ask and how the question is framed. In the last ten years, the usage […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 13, 2017

Florida lawmakers appear to be taking steps to repeal a state law requiring personal injury protection coverage, but differences remain between the House and Senate proposals. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 8-1 to approve a bill (SB 1766) that would repeal the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, replacing the PIP mandate with a […]

Les NeuhausMarch 27, 2017

In an unexpected move, legislators merged two bills into one rather than unnecessarily compete against one another in a common goal to create a coordinated effort to enlist better medical services for abused children Monday. Both bills related to child protection issues. SB 1454, sponsored by Sen. Doug Broxson, and SB 1318, sponsored by Sen. […]

Tag: Rene Garcia

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Jack Latvala: State needs to spend $20 million more on opioid crisis

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

David Richardson formally getting into CD 27 race

Rene Garcia: ‘The people of Miami-Dade County … cannot wait any longer’ for signature bridge

Rene Garcia opts not to run for CD 27 seat

Business rent tax cuts still in play in House, Senate

Group homes, foster care concern Senate panel

House, Senate bills to repeal PIP clear committees despite questions, differences

Lawmakers merge two bills to expand medical services for abused children