Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2018

Last night, I tweeted a .gif about Senator Anitere Flores and how capitol insiders are not surprised that it is the portion of the budget that she helps write that is forcing the Legislature into overtime. It was an easy, lazy criticism of Flores. Of course health care spending, specifically hospital spending, is what’s holding […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2018

After an hours-long floor session, in which a series of Democratic attempts to change a controversial school safety bill failed, the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday readied the proposal for a final vote. Before that could happen, dozens of amendments sponsored by Democrats were killed. One by Rep. Jared Moskowitz would have removed a ‘guardian program’ […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2018

The House spent three hours just on questions on a contentious $400 million school safety proposal passed by the Senate on Monday. House members took up the bill (SB 7026) Tuesday, with Democrats peppering Speaker-designate José Oliva with questions, many of them duplicative. “Asked and answered,” Speaker pro tempore Jeanette Nuñez said several times. She was in […]

Ana CeballosMarch 6, 2018

A man who was “quietly watching” the Senate debate on a controversial gun bill Monday was spotted carrying into the Capitol about a dozen jars full of tar and feathers labeled “Enemy of Freedom Award.” The destination: the offices of Democratic and Republican state senators, some of whom voted for new gun restrictions and others […]

Drew WilsonMarch 5, 2018

After going back and forth with similar bills, the Legislature cleared a proposal Monday that would require nursing homes to have backup generators on site to keep the air conditioning running during power outages. The bill, HB 7099, is a priority of Gov. Rick Scott, who issued a similar requirement via an emergency rule following […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

In a rare move, the Senate will meet on Saturday to consider school safety legislation. With the Session clock ticking down, Senate President Joe Negron announced the weekend sitting on Friday morning in a memo to fellow senators. The 2018 Legislative Session is scheduled to end next Friday. A floor session is planned for 10 a.m.-1 […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

An angry Adam Putnam lashed out at lawmakers Wednesday for planning to raid a state account funded by fees from concealed weapon licenses. As Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Putnam is in charge of issuing such permits. A proposal (SB 7026) in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas […]

It’s really not hospital spending holding up the budget; it’s the politics of Parkland

After marathon floor session, House poised to approve school safety bill

House begins deliberations on post-Parkland measure

Senators get jars of tar and feathers labeled ‘Enemy of Freedom’ after gun bill vote

Capitol reax: Nursing homes, first responders, arming teachers, busting unions

Senate will meet Saturday to consider school safety bill

Hands off concealed carry money, Adam Putnam says