Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 23, 2016

With a proposed $3 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida having died this past legislative session, the tribe’s lawyer on Tuesday said its fight to keep blackjack in tribal casinos now moves to a federal court. Barry Richard, a Greenberg Traurig shareholder based in Tallahassee, is representing the tribe in a case against […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Hospital Association patted the Legislature on the back in a Friday email celebrating the passage of their preferred healthcare transparency bill. “The Legislature has demonstrated responsible leadership by passing House Bill 1175 to increase the availability and usefulness of information about health care prices and quality of care,” FHA President Bruce Rueben said. “This bill will help […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

A bill expanding medical marijuana in Florida has been sent to Gov. Rick Scott. The Florida Legislature sent the bill (HB 307) to Scott on Thursday. The governor has until March 25 to act on the measure. The proposal — sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, and Sen. Rob Bradley, a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2016

On Wednesday, the Florida Senate voted 35-1 to approve the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill (SB 1652), which would allow Jacksonville to impose a pension tax via referendum if the bill is signed into law. This passage represents the culmination of a concerted effort that started months ago, including the enlistment of an army of city […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2016

The Florida Senate is poised to vote on a controversial bill that prohibits public funding for clinics, like Planned Parenthood, that are affiliated with a licensed abortion clinic. Lawmakers began discussions of the measure (HB 1411) on Tuesday. The proposal, sponsored by Lakeland Republicans Sen. Kelli Stargel in the Senate and Rep. Colleen Burton in […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 8, 2016

The Florida Senate briefly discussed the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill (SB 1652) on second reading Tuesday ahead of a vote that would allow Jacksonville to impose a pension tax via referendum if the bill passes. The bill, if approved, would allow a referendum in Duval County this year regarding extending until 2060 the half-cent Better […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2016

Politicians throughout Florida responded to Sunday’s report of the death of Nancy Reagan at the age of 95. Reactions come from federal, state, and local Republican elected officials. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who has described himself as among the “children of the (Ronald) Reagan Revolution,” tweeted his condolences, writing that “today our nation mourns the loss […]

Gary FineoutMarch 4, 2016

With executions halted and the prosecution of some murder cases in limbo, the Florida Legislature overhauled the state’s death penalty law Thursday in response to a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that the current sentencing law is unconstitutional. Legislators sent to Gov. Rick Scott a bill that would require that at least 10 out […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

You can’t keep a good bill – or a bad bill, depending on your viewpoint – down in the Florida Legislature. Wednesday night, the House of Representatives quietly put its rewrite of the Seminole Compact and a proposed constitutional amendment on voter control of gambling on the agenda for Friday’s floor session. The legislation is on the […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2016

Jacksonville is watching Tallahassee for one thing this session more than anything else: SB 1652, the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill. The House version of the “pension tax” bill passed last week. Whither the Senate? “The Senate bill will end up matching the House bill, and then the Senate will take up the House bill,” says […]

Tag: Rob Bradley
Dozens of women showed up to get free mammograms at the Promise Fund event in Stuart. Image via Florida Department of Health.

Seminole Tribe’s lawyer now watching court cases after Compact’s demise

Email Insights: Florida Hospital Association thanks lawmakers for transparency bill

Florida Legislature sends medical marijuana expansion bill to Gov. Rick Scott

Jacksonville’s pension tax bill sails through Senate, now heads to Gov. Scott

Senate begins discussion on bill that could defund Planned Parenthood

Jax Pension Tax bill is clear for Senate floor vote

Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, other Florida politicians react to Nancy Reagan’s death

Florida overhauls death penalty in bid to resume executions

House throwing a “Hail Mary” with Seminole Compact?

Jax pension tax bill headed for Senate floor vote early next week