Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

A state House panel approved an expansion of the state’s Right to Try Act, but stripped a provision from the bill (HB 307) that would have increased the number of medical marijuana dispensing organizations. The state House health care appropriations subcommittee voted 9-2 to approve the measure, sponsored by Reps. Matt Gaetz and Katie Edwards. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2016

Nashua, N.H. — Good morning from the Extended Stay America motel in Nashua, where it was an absolutely balmy 53 degrees at 5:30 a.m. It’s not, however, expected to get any warmer. No rain in the forecast (I don’t think) after a day that, well, if this were Florida, you’d have been hearing of severe […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2016

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House Democratic hopeful Lisa Montelione is bashing House District 60 Republican Shawn Harrison for his vote on an abortion rights bill Tuesday. Harrison was one of eight Republicans on the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee voting in support of a bill that would effectively cut off state funding for women’s health organizations such as Planned Parenthood […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 29, 2016

Among the items Hillsborough County legislators are requesting in the just-unveiled 2016-2017 House budget, none looms larger than the $22.5 million sought for the USF Morsani College of Health Heart Institute. In February 2015, USF’s request to relocate its new Morsani College of Medicine and USF Heart Institute to downtown Tampa was approved, and in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

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The state House passed a controversial measure to regulate fracking, despite significant opposition from Democrats who said the practice could harm the state’s natural resources. The House voted 73-45 after more than an hour of passionate debate to approve the bill (HB 191), with just a few Republicans joining Democrats in opposing it. “Yesterday, over […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 18, 2016

When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday to begin the second week of the nine-week Legislative Session, the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal that divides the Tampa and Polk County legislative delegations. House Bill 815, sponsored by Tampa Republican Shawn Harrison, would move the 2nd District Court of Appeal from Lakeland to the Tampa […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2016

Supporters of Pinellas Republican Chris Sprowls‘ bid to become Speaker of the Florida House at the beginning of the next decade have repeated a talking point again and again about rival Eric Eisnaugle: “We’re not sure who eventually will be Speaker in 2021, but we know it won’t be Eisnaugle.” They said that after the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

OK, let’s not pretend that anyone out there is really all that interested, much less excited, that Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address tonight. I would say that it’s an antiquated relic that the country has transcended, and in fact, last year’s SOTU was the least viewed since 2000. Having […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Fundraising totals for what should be the ultracompetitive House District 63 seat were reported on Monday, and so far GOP incumbent Shawn Harrison is dominating the financial arms race over the two Democrats who have entered the contest. Harrison, obviously primed for a serious challenge come November, has now raised over $100,000, in the race ($100,300 to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 6, 2016

State Rep. Shawn Harrison has filed legislation that would prohibit “vaping” indoors in public places such as restaurants, stores and workplaces. Harrison, a Tampa Republican, filed the bill (HB 1143) on Wednesday for consideration in the 2016 Legislative Session. “Vaping” is the nickname for using an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, which produces an inhaled vapor of […]

Tag: Shawn Harrison

House panel OKs proposal adding medical marijuana to Right to Try Act

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.16 — The field narrows

Lisa Montelione blasts Shawn Harrison on abortion bill

USF Heart Institute is largest request from Hillsborough House members

House approves controversial fracking bill, despite opposition from Democrats

Bill to move 2nd District Court to Tampa riles Polk legislators

Did Chris Sprowls just finally defeat Eric Eisnaugle for House Speaker … and by default?

Mitch Perry Report for 1.12.16 — SOTU time, baby!

Shawn Harrison killing it in fundraising so far in HD 63 race

Shawn Harrison files “vaping” ban bill