Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 3, 2018

An embittered Sen. Tom Lee on Friday said the Legislature’s rank and file is “getting crumbs” from leadership and “they’re fed up about it.” Senate President Joe Negron later countered he’s “proud of the process,” saying “everyone is entitled to their opinion.” Lee had disagreed with a provision in the House’s big education bill (HB 7055) […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

With Thonotosassa Republican state Sen. Tom Lee widely expected to leave his Senate District 20 seat in Hillsborough County sometime after the Legislative Session ends to run for Chief Financial Officer, who will take his place? Tampa’s Shawn Harrison and Zephryhills’ Danny Burgess are two names that have been floated. But there’s already a Republican in the race: John […]

Scott PowersFebruary 26, 2018

With little opposition raised — except for Democrats’ votes against three recent appointments to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee recommended Monday that the chamber back all 89 appointments and nominations awaiting confirmation. The committee’s favorable recommendations include Florida Secretary of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein, Florida Fish and […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is releasing an ad this week targeting a senate bill it says will cause auto insurance rates to skyrocket. “Caution alert: Florida state senators want to pass a new law making you pay more for your car insurance,” the ad states. “The bill will force you to pay more for […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2018

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A controversial omnibus education bill made its first appearance Tuesday in the Florida Senate, where Port Orange Republican Dorothy Hukill unveiled a strike-all amendment to the legislation before the Education Committee. The bill (HB 7055) ultimately was approved, although without a provision that organized labor said was designed to gut the state’s “right to work” laws. The Senate bill […]

Scott PowersFebruary 20, 2018

Guns, greyhounds, and privacy. Two of the three most commonly- and passionately-discussed topics at Monday’s first public hearing for the Florida Constitution Revision Commission’s proposed amendments weren’t even among the 37 active propositions. Yet dozens of speakers at the Maxwell C. King Center in Melbourne Monday spoke of their desire to see a Florida Constitution […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2018

A Senate bill to bar the use of steroids in racing greyhounds cleared another committee Wednesday, as a poison-pill amendment was withdrawn at the last minute. The measure (SB 674) was approved by the Agriculture Committee on a 8-1 vote, with only Delray Beach Democrat Kevin Rader opposed. Rader filed and withdrew an amendment that would have allowed […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 6, 2018

A Senate bill that would put a constitutional amendment expanding the Chief Financial Officer’s duties on the ballot cleared its second committee stop Tuesday. SB 792, sponsored by Brandon Republican Sen. Tom Lee, would have the CFO participate in economic, demographic, and revenue estimating conferences. It would also require the CFO to review and certify […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee approved a landmark bill on “Creating the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.” SB 1628, sponsored by Plantation Democrat Lauren Book, mandates that the task force meets every four years. It bars legislators, candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually harassing anyone, and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 30, 2018

In a battle over how far to roll back local control and regulation of vacation rental homes, state Sen. Greg Steube won a key victory Tuesday. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs approved the Sarasota Republican’s bill, advancing a comprehensive preemption of local laws regulating services provided by companies like Airbnb. That ended a legislative […]

Tag: Tom Lee

Tom Lee ‘fed up’ with Joe Negron, top down leadership

‘Manners’ time: Republican John Houman still running for SD 20

All nominations clear Senate Ethics and Elections Committee

Florida Chamber wants Senate to ‘put the brakes’ on auto insurance bill

Senate panel clears contentious omnibus education bill

Guns, greyhounds and privacy dominate constitution hearing

Greyhound steroids ban clears another committee

Senate panel advances proposed constitutional amendment changing CFO duties

Backed by Pam Bondi, Lauren Book’s sexual harassment bill clears Senate panel

Senate committee forwards bill preempting local control of vacation rentals