Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 19, 2018

When Gov. Rick Scott traveled Florida months back selling his final budget, one with “historic funding” for the environment and education, critics noted the election-year budget was a vast departure from his first in 2011. Scott defended the budget, essentially asserting that prudent fiscal management ensured that spending could be boosted when times were good. And […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2018

Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Travis Cummings both represent Clay County. Both also hold the gavels for their respective chamber’s appropriations committees. The concentration of budget power in Clay, a Northeast Florida county bordering Jacksonville, is unprecedented. Bradley himself described it as a “window of opportunity.” And opportunity draws a crowd. Thursday’s Clay County Delegation meeting put them […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2018

Those close to the political operation of Mayor Lenny Curry are calling this a “momentum week.” And why not? Curry is essentially alone still in the mayoral field. Yes, there are filed opponents. No, you haven’t heard of them. And won’t, given their fundraising. Curry is on television with an ad buy. He’s talking smack. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 13, 2018

The political cycle never truly ends and no sooner had the 2018 elections wrapped before Northeast Florida Republican candidates and committees began raking in 2020 funds. The numbers aren’t eyepopping, but with power increasingly concentrating in the GOP-dominant region, they are worth watching. Working for Florida’s Families, the political committee of budget chair Sen. Rob Bradley, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 12, 2018

A healthy but also fragile economy led the Senate’s budget chief to tell fellow lawmakers they need to be “very, very conservative” in writing the state’s next yearly budget. Indeed, with chief legislative economist Amy Baker saying the state needs roughly $6 billion in new money over the next three years just to keep up, Sen. Rob […]

Staff ReportsDecember 6, 2018

Wrap it up The year, in terms of Jacksonville city government, is nearing an end. Next Tuesday sees the final City Council meeting of 2018. For those interested in getting autographs, a Holiday themed meet-and-greet will also be held Wednesday afternoon. Hors-d’oeuvres will be served at the latter event. Reminder: keep gifts under $100 in […]

Phil AmmannDecember 5, 2018

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round in the Florida Senate. Off and on: Andrew Liebert and Jae Williams became legislative assistants, and Karen Whaley became district secretary for Republican Sen. Ben Albritton of Bartow. Williams previously worked for former Sen. Denise Grimsley. Whaley worked with […]

Staff ReportsNovember 29, 2018

Baseball terminology may be out of season, but no matter: this week’s developments show that all the work Northeast Florida lawmakers have done in recent months has paid off. For the second straight year, Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley will helm Senate Appropriations. This year, a close ally is also handling the House budget. Gov. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

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State Sen. Rob Bradley is renewing for the second straight year his quest to protect Floridians’ vegetable gardens — local ordinances notwithstanding. This year’s bill (SB 82) by the Fleming Island Republican would eliminate as “void and unenforceable” local jurisdiction over front yard gardens. The goal: Facilitating “the development of sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits at […]

Jacob OglesNovember 29, 2018

While Florida communities persistently face affordable housing issues, a trust fund to help solve the problem remains an easy pot to raid. But state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo hopes to safeguard those dollars in next year’s budget. One of the first bills filed by the Naples Republican for this session aims to protect the State Housing […]

Tag: Rob Bradley
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Rob Bradley on the budget: Health care ‘efficiencies,’ healthy reserves

‘Window of opportunity’: House, Senate budget chairs face hometown crowd

Jacksonville Bold for 12.14.18 — Momentum week

Early start: Northeast Florida 2020 fundraising begins

Rob Bradley says next budget needs to be ‘very, very conservative’

Jacksonville Bold for 12.6.18 — Wrap it up

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round (Senate version)

Jacksonville Bold for 11.29.18 — Payoff pitch

Garden party: Rob Bradley renews fight for front-yard horticulture

Kathleen Passidomo aims to protect state’s affordable housing trust fund