Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 16, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott got some praise from the Florida Health Care Association on Friday for signing the 2018-19 budget. Shortly after Scott put pen to paper the group put out a statement lauding the $88.7 billion plan, specifically the funding bumps it will bring to nursing homes, nearly 600 of which are represented by FHCA. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 12, 2018

Lenny Curry is fond of tweeting: “Plan all the way to the end.” But at the end of 2016, when the Jacksonville mayor first pitched removal of the Hart Bridge offramps, some were confused as to what that plan was. Curry brought a poster board into the Duval delegation meeting, and said he wanted $50 […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The lobbying powerhouse Ballard Partners swayed lawmakers to add a new section to the state’s labor law that mirrors the exact business model of one of its online-based clients. Handy Technologies, Inc., which hired Ballard Partners, will directly benefit from a last-minute add on to the tax cut package championed by Senate Budget Chair Rob […]

Peter SchorschMarch 11, 2018

Nobody expected a tragedy like Parkland to suck all the oxygen out of the Legislature’s 2018 Regular Session. Lobbyists were left scrambling to save their clients’ priorities as lawmakers hustled to rejigger the budget to accommodate hundreds of millions of dollars for school safety and mental health initiatives. Some survived, many did not; although that’s […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session came and went, and Brian Pitts of the advocacy group Justice 2 Jesus was nowhere to be found. One of the last times he was spotted was November at the Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee. It was the last meeting for former state Rep. Neil Combee and after he said farewell, […]

Drew WilsonMarch 8, 2018

Lawmakers got praise from the Florida Health Care Association Thursday for upping funds to nursing homes in the 2018-19 state budget. “FHCA applauds the Legislature for making the quality care of our frailest elders a priority. We want to especially thank Senate President Joe Negron, who has long been a champion for nursing home residents. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Dozens of member projects were zeroed out as legislative leaders reached a deal on an $87 billion budget deal, but one University of Florida project was not only salvaged, it got double of what the House and Senate had initially agreed to. “It was about making sure that the projects that we chose had the […]

Ana CeballosMarch 8, 2018

Senate Budget Chief Rob Bradley said it would set “bad precedent” to go along with a House plan that would have financially punished Enterprise Rent-A-Car for cutting ties with the National Rifle Association. “I think that it’s silly to get involved in rebidding contracts … because you’re mad at a temporary moment in time about […]

Staff ReportsMarch 7, 2018

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Florida lawmakers will extend their annual session for several days to pass a new $87 billion-plus state budget, which will include a $101.50 increase in per-student funding in public schools. House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced early Wednesday afternoon that legislative leaders had reached agreement on the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 4, 2018

State funding is absent for affordable housing programs tailored to those affected by last year’s hurricanes. The reason? Unforeseen constraints created by a high-profile $400 million school safety and mental health proposal designed to prevent another school shooting. Budget chiefs Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Carlos Trujillo told Florida Politics on Saturday evening that the […]

Tag: Rob Bradley

FHCA gives Rick Scott thumbs up on budget

Talleyrand Connector money illustrates Lenny Curry’s long game

Ballard Partners snags last-minute tax package tweak to help web-based client

Winners and losers emerging from the 2018 Legislative Session

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Where is Justice 2 Jesus?

FHCA lauds lawmakers for nursing home budget increase

Legislative leaders increase funding for UF project

‘It’s silly’: Senate won’t punish Enterprise Rent-A-Car for NRA move

Legislative leaders reach budget deal, Session extension looms

Hurricane housing programs axed from budget