Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 12, 2019

The state’s most tuned in political insiders have some firm opinions on two of the top Republicans in national politics. Florida Politics reached out to more than 100 of the state’s top political minds on to get their take President Donald Trump’s re-election odds and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz standing with his campaign trail bestie, […]

Drew WilsonNovember 20, 2018

New lobbying registrations show Capitol Alliance Group has inked a deal with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, a venture geared toward revolutionizing the high-speed rail industry. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies was formed by Elon Musk back in 2013. It aims to bring consumers “vactrain” lines — a type of next-gen rail that features vacuum sealed tubes where “train […]

Jim RosicaJune 6, 2018

The country’s biggest medical marijuana provider on Wednesday announced it was buying its way into the Florida market. In a press release, MedMen Enterprises Inc. of Los Angeles said it had agreed to pay $53 million for what’s known in Florida as a “medical marijuana treatment center” license from Central Florida’s Treadwell Nursery. MedMen management say they will […]

Drew WilsonMay 21, 2018

Capitol Alliance Group posted another strong quarter, reporting an estimated $425,000 in lobbying pay between New Year’s and March 31. The two-man shop run by Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Patrick Biehl showed median earnings of $215,000 in its legislative lobbying report and $210,000 in its executive one. Top-end estimates show the firm brought in up […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2018

Florida now has topped 100,000 patients in its medical marijuana use registry, according to the Department of Health. But that doesn’t mean the department will issue another four licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana, as provided under state law. The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) reported Friday – coincidentally on April 20, or 4/20 – that there […]

Peter SchorschDecember 29, 2017

‘Tis the season, and the Legislature’s dubious Christmas present this year was moving up the 2018 Legislative Session two months from its usual March start date. We will no doubt have many gifts in store, besides the inevitable policy food fights, such as perhaps seeing some lawmakers in their ugly holiday sweaters (the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts “sunny, turning warm” for […]

Peter SchorschAugust 15, 2017

With a client roster that includes everything from local governments to energy organizations, Capitol Alliance Group posted strong quarterly earnings during the second quarter. The boutique firm of Jeff Sharkey and Taylor Patrick Biehl reported earning at least $460,000 — $230,000 for their legislative work and $230,000 for their executive branch work — during the second […]

Joe ReedyApril 14, 2017

Florida’s voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in November that formally legalized medical marijuana for chronic pain and other ailments, but with less than a month to go in their session, Florida legislators remain far apart on how to implement it. Bills in the Senate and House don’t agree on the details of expanding access […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2017

Treadwell Nursery appears to be sticking with Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart. Joanna Lee Clary Bonafanti and J. Larry Williams registered with the state to lobby the Florida Legislature on behalf of the Central Florida nursery on Dec. 13. The nursery, which was one of several applicants seeking a permit to grow and distribute medical marijuana, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 26, 2016

State lawmakers are taking steps to update Florida’s 2-year-old THC cannabis law during the 2016 Legislative Session. The state passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act in 2014. It allows patients to take a low-THC cannabis with the permission of their doctor. Supporters of the 2014 effort said it could help children with epilepsy and patients […]

Tag: Taylor Patrick Biehl

Florida Influencer Poll: Donald Trump in good shape, Matt Gaetz treading water

Lobby Up: Capitol Alliance Group lands high caliber high-speed rail client

MedMen paying $53M to enter Florida medical marijuana market

Capitol Alliance Group nets up to $610K in Q1 lobbying pay

State tops 100,000 marijuana patients—but don’t expect more providers

The 12 Days of Christmas, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and politicos

Capitol Alliance Group’s Q2 earnings could reach $719K

Legislature makes slow progress on medical pot rules

Treadwell Nursery hires Gunster lobbyists Joanna Lee Clary Bonafanti and J. Larry Williams

Proposal to “clean up” Florida’s medical marijuana law clears House panel