Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieApril 28, 2015

The Florida House adjourned the 2015 Legislative Session on Tuesday, leaving bills dealing with water policy, hydraulic fracturing, septic tank waste and Duke Energy Florida in doubt. As the Senate was discussing fracking legislation, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli told House members there was no reason to keep House members in Tallahassee because of an impasse […]

Daniel TilsonApril 28, 2015

With state representatives like these, who needs enemies? With nearly four days left in the Florida Legislature’s regular session, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli unexpectedly gathered up all his “Stand Firm” post-it notes, lobbyist business cards and ALEC issues briefings, then suddenly called the session quits and sent everybody home. The political class in Tallahassee likes […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

Medical marijuana advocates are now looking to 2016. One of the casualties of the budget debate waging between the House and Senate is a glitch bill for last year’s Charlotte’s Web law. SPB 7066 died Tuesday when the House unexpectedly adjourned the 2015 session three days early. “I have never seen more lobbyists with their […]

Ryan RayApril 28, 2015

Former Senate Democratic leader Sen. Chris Smith debated on the Senate floor against SB 284, a private property rights enhancement bill telling his colleagues — coyly at first — “It’s hard to argue against a bill with so many House co-sponsors,” and later, more directly, “I mean, if we want to send a message …” […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2015

Although the budget impasse between the state Legislature which led Speaker Steve Crisafulli to dismiss the House this afternoon illustrates the enmity between Republicans in the House & Senate, Democrats who have been advocating for the state to expand Medicaid coverage are happy to bash Crisafulli. “Today, the House leadership and the majority party failed […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 28, 2015

Heath care was the divisive issue of the 2015 regular Legislative Session with health care financing and Medicaid expansion proving to be issues too large to bridge differences. When the House of Representatives abruptly called it quits Tuesday several health care issues outside of Medicaid went down in a fiery crash. Longtime health care lobbyist […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2015

Shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli stunned observers when he announced the House of Representatives would adjourn three days before the Legislative Session’s scheduled conclusion. He laid the cause to the continued impasse with the Senate over Medicaid expansion. “No, we didn’t get everything we wanted,” Crisafulli told House members. “And […]

Staff ReportsApril 28, 2015

In the growing rift between the chambers, the House of Representatives has sidelined a number of special-needs bills pushed by Senate President Andy Gardiner and agreed to in a joint priorities’ agenda by both chambers before the start of session. Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant blasted the move in a press release saying it’s […]

Ryan RayApril 28, 2015

A small clutch of activists gathered on a foggy Tuesday morning to deliver petitions to Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders. Executive Director of Audubon Florida Eric Draper was handed a bottle of water infused with a blue-green algae bloom beforehand, FedExed straight from Central Florida the afternoon before. The green, murky water came from Lake Okeechobee and is […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2015

During a story arc of the third season of 30 Rock, Jon Hamm plays Drew, the boyfriend of Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon. In the episode “The Bubble,” Fey begins to notice that people treat Hamm differently because of his good looks. After watching a traffic cop rip up a ticket for Drew, and fashion […]

Tag: Steve Crisafulli

Fracking, land management and water bills left in doubt

Daniel Tilson: Florida House Republicans flip us all the bird and fly home

Medical marijuana advocates disappointed, look to 2016

Bills dying en masse as House adjourns Sine Die

Democrats blast Steve Crisafulli’s decision to end session 3 days early

Health care train doesn’t make it out of session before House quits

House abruptly calls it quits, blames Medicaid impasse

Democratic Party chair calls stalling special-needs bills “reprehensible”

Everglades Trust delivers petitions urging Rick Scott to buy U.S. Sugar land

Peter Schorsch: When will Speaker Steve Crisafulli's bubble burst?