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Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2016

Politicians throughout Florida responded to Sunday’s report of the death of Nancy Reagan at the age of 95. Reactions come from federal, state, and local Republican elected officials. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who has described himself as among the “children of the (Ronald) Reagan Revolution,” tweeted his condolences, writing that “today our nation mourns the loss […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2016

A Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday to create a list of first-time misdemeanors that would lead to civil citations instead of arrests for youths under 16 years of age. The legislation, sponsored by Rockledge Republican Thad Altman (SB 408), would in most cases lead to civil citations instead of arrests. Juveniles would be diverted to perform community […]

Ryan RayFebruary 22, 2016

Florida lawmakers continued to dabble in foreign policy on Monday, when a Senate panel unanimously passed a bill calling for an authorization of force against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups in Iraq and the Levant. The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security approved SB 1710 by Sen. Greg Evers, which calls on Congress for […]

William MarchFebruary 15, 2016

Environmental groups contend that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature is again snubbing voters who want the state to purchase conservation land. They contend the budget proposals the Legislature is now developing violate Amendment 1, passed overwhelmingly in 2014, directing that a third of the revenue from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions go to buy […]

Scott PowersJanuary 28, 2016

The end of January to the first day of February — starting Wednesday and running through Monday — is always a most somber time for NASA and America’s space program. Those dates mark anniversaries of three of the nation’s most visible tragedies: Apollo 1, the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters. It also reminds us […]

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

The Florida Senate Transportation Committee gave its blessing Wednesday to a bill that gets tougher on motor vehicle drivers who crowd bicyclists and pedestrians, while also giving cars more maneuverability room. The committee gave its approval to Senate Bill 332, which expands the definition of “vulnerable users” of roadways and increases fines in some cases […]

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

The end of January to the first day of February — starting today and running through Monday — is always a most somber time for NASA and America’s space program. These are the dates that mark anniversaries of three of the nation’s most visible tragedies: NASA Apollo 1, the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters. […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

Republican candidate Brian Hodgers gave another $200,000 to his House District 52 campaign in December, bringing his on-hand total to $332,619 after 10 months in the race. “Our community is worth investing in, and I believe I’m the right person to provide the strong, conservative leadership we need in Tallahassee,” Hodgers said when announcing the December haul. “I […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2015

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In a handwritten note delivered earlier this month, state Sen. Thad Altman moved up his next run for office by two years. Altman, a Rockledge Republican who is term limited in the Florida Senate next year, had originally filed to run for House District 51 in 2018. On Dec. 1, Altman wrote, signed and sent […]

Phil AmmannDecember 7, 2015

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – the legislative merry-go-round. Off and on: Nancy Bernier is no longer a legislative assistant for Rockledge Republican Sen. Thad Altman. She will become the new district secretary for Melbourne Republican Rep. Ritch Workman. Off: Aaron McKinney is no longer the legislative […]

Tag: Thad Altman
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, other Florida politicians react to Nancy Reagan’s death

Juvenile citation bill advances in Senate

Senate panel OKs call for “use of military force” against ISIL

Groups upset with legislators over land conservation

NASA, Space Coast remembers Apollo 1, Challenger, Columbia disasters

Bicyclists, pedestrians get added protection in bill favored by Senate panel

NASA’s Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia disasters remembered by agency and Space Coast

Brian Hodgers tops $330K in race for HD 52

Thad Altman switches seats for his next election

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round