Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 29, 2016

A bill that started out seeking to expand Florida’s limited medical marijuana program to give relief to end-of-life patients has grown into a measure to expand the program in several directions. And it got approval Monday by the Senate Rules Committee. The overhauled Senate Bill 460 now heads back to the Senate floor, from where […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 25, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, the CEO […]

Guest AuthorDecember 13, 2015

Last week found Jesse Panuccio resigning as director of the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). Ya-a-a-wn, says the reader. Z-z-z-z, goes the reader. Pay attention! Pay attention! Here’s why: Newspapers and blogs have pronounced him a “trusted” adviser of Gov. Rick Scott. Upon his appointment as DEO leader in 2011, Scott was fulsome in […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

The next president of the Florida Senate is calling for an extra billion dollars in spending on the state’s universities, calling them “special, exceptional places.” State Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican, was formally elected president for 2016-18 in a Wednesday designation ceremony of the chamber’s GOP caucus. Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14. He will succeed current President […]

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed its redrawn district map by a close vote of 22-18, with all 14 Democrats and four Republicans opposed. It’s now up to the House of Representatives to OK the map as is or change it and send it back as the Special Session clock ticks to an end. “We now have […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 17, 2015

A Senate bill intended to strengthen ethics requirements for the Public Service Commission and tighten regulation of utilities passed its first committee stop. But Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, says the fate of the bill ultimately will lie in the House, where other Senate bills involving the PSC and utilities in recent years have not […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 17, 2015

A Senate bill intended to strengthen ethics requirements for the Public Service Commission and tighten regulation of utilities passed its first committee stop. But Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, says the fate of the bill ultimately will lie in the House, where other Senate bills involving the PSC and utilities in recent years have not […]

Peter SchorschDecember 4, 2014

For a moment there, it looked like it was time to pull the plug. It was time to call the priest and ask him to deliver the last rites. For a moment there, state Sen. Jack Latvala’s ambitions to be president of the Florida Senate in 2016-18 were in their death throes. This past November, […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 24, 2014

Corruption shrinks from sunlight; disclosure is the key to accountability. The public has long known that to hold elected officials and candidates accountable, we must be able to follow the money. In 2013, true to Florida’s laudable open-government history and culture, our Legislature enacted a package of significant campaign finance reforms. Championed by House Speaker […]

Tag: Sen. Jack Latvala
Image via AP.

Senate Rules panel OKs expanded medical marijuana bill

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s “wide-open” alternative to the Seminole Compact

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s ‘wide open’ alternative to the Seminole Compact

Chris Timmons: JP done at DEO

Now it’s official: Joe Negron selected next Senate President

Senate passes new district map, sends to House

Jack Latvala’s PSC bill passes first committee stop, but fate uncertain in House

Jack Latvala's PSC bill passes first committee stop, but fate uncertain in House

Peter Schorsch: State Sen. Jack Latvala’s ambitions to become Senate president still have life

Lester Abberger & Marilynn Wills: Put all campaign finance reports online