Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 16, 2015

A measure that could help Gov. Rick Scott fulfill his promise to cut taxes by $670 million continues to roll through the Legislature. The Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Monday approved on a 7-0 vote to reduce a communications tax by 3.6%. “This is broad-based and consumer friendly,” said Sen. Dorothy Hukill who is sponsoring the $431 million tax […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

It was a day of announcements at the state Capitol. Morning broke with former legislator Joe Scarborough announcing that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is selling his Tallahassee house. Details here. Rubio had purchased a three-bedroom/two bath house with fellow lawmaker David Rivera in 2005. It has been a bit of a headache for Rubio: The two were unable to unload […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

An Allison Tant rant was featured in a House Republican video produced for this past week’s annual Capitol Press Corps Press Skits. The segment set to rap music was taken from a news conference when Tant used strong language to head off a potential House Democrat leadership fight. It was unclear whether it was included to get […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

A bill filed by Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers that would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns onto college and university campuses moved along in the state Senate on Monday. The Senate Higher Education Committee voted along party lines to advance SB 176. An identical bill, HB 4005, in the House sponsored by Greg Steube, a […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

Legislative heavyweights lined up outside the third floor Capitol clinic on Monday. The four most influential legislators in health care — Reps. Jason Brodeur and Matt Hudson and Sens. Rene Garcia and Aaron Bean — weren’t talking Low Income Pool, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, or any other health care issues, though. They lined up to weigh in and compete in the 2015 Biggest […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

Legislative heavyweights lined up outside the third floor Capitol clinic on Monday. The four most influential legislators in health care — Reps. Jason Brodeur and Matt Hudson and Sens. Rene Garcia and Aaron Bean — weren’t talking Low Income Pool, telemedicine, Medicaid expansion, or any other health care issues, though. They lined up to weigh in and compete in the 2015 Biggest […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

Early voting in the District 6 City Council runoff contest between Guido Maniscalco and Jackie Toledo has begun. It continues through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at six polling places: ♦ C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library ♦ Fred B. Karl County Center, 16th Floor ♦ Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library ♦ North Tampa Branch Library ♦ Robert […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 16, 2015

The discussion of whether to have the state Auditor General audit a hospital taxing district was delayed on Monday. Joint Legislative Auditing Committee Chairman Sen. Joseph Abruzzo said the committee was waiting for more information from the North Lake County Hospital District to be released and that Rep. Larry Metz, who requested the audit, was […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

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Senate support for communications tax gets louder

The day that was in Florida politics — March 16

Catching up with Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant

Guns-on-campus bill advances in Florida Senate

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in "Biggest Loser" contest

Capitol heavyweights aim to slim down in “Biggest Loser” contest

Early voting begins in Tampa for District 6 runoff

No audit of hospital taxing district … for now

Charlotte's Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz

Charlotte’s Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz