Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 25, 2017

Right now, Floridians have a chance to finally put a stop to one of the cruelest “sports” left in America – greyhound racing. Two past Florida Senate Presidents, Tom Lee and Don Gaetz, have introduced an amendment that would phase out greyhound racing in the Sunshine State to the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission, the 37-member […]

Peter SchorschNovember 22, 2017

From the soup kitchens of Tallahassee to the conch houses of Key West, from the toniest mansions in Coral Gables to the double wides in Dixie County, people from all walks of life will sit down to celebrate the most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. “Americans traditionally recognize the ‘first’ Thanksgiving as having taken place at […]

Jim RosicaNovember 15, 2017

State Sen. Tom Lee fired off a tweetstorm Wednesday in support of his proposed constitutional amendment to ban greyhound racing in Florida. Lee—a Thonotosassa Republican, previous Senate president and current candidate for Chief Financial Officer—called dog racing “cruel and inhumane,” and added the “greyhound industry opposes any real reform.” (His tweets are at bottom.) He filed […]

Drew WilsonNovember 14, 2017

CFO Jimmy Patronis added another $431,100 to his political committee last month surpassing his only major competitor, Margate Democrat Jeremy Ring, in cash on hand. Treasure Florida’s October numbers bring the committee to $653,850 raised since Patronis opened the account in August. Spending last month came in at just $2,306, leaving the committee with $642,639 […]

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2017

A draft of a bill is circulating in the Capitol that would, among other things, expressly legalize steroids and trace amounts of cocaine in racing greyhounds, critics say. One lawmaker made aware of the language on Thursday jokingly asked if it was “written by The Onion.” But an industry representative said the legislation, backed by […]

Peter SchorschNovember 9, 2017

Former Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Ring announced Wednesday that four Florida congressmen had endorsed his bid to be Florida’s next Chief Financial Officer. U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson and Darren Soto, all Democrats, proclaimed their support for Ring via a Wednesday press release from his campaign. “I’ve gotten to know Jeremy over […]

Guest AuthorNovember 7, 2017

State Sen. Tom Lee has proposed a constitutional amendment, as a member of the state’s Constitutional Revision Commission, that would end live greyhound racing and allow all 12 of Florida’s greyhound tracks to essentially continue operating as minicasinos. It has been suggested that the proposal is an animal welfare proposal. There have been numerous attempts […]

Mitch PerryNovember 6, 2017

A local bill that would make the Jeff Vinik-led Water Street Tampa development a “stewardship district” was passed by the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation at its meeting Friday in Plant City. But first, state Sen. Tom Lee said the bill needed additional vetting before becoming law. Such special districts aren’t out of the ordinary; the Legislature […]

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2017

As expected, Constitution Revision Commissioner Tom Lee has filed a constitutional amendment to ban greyhound racing in Florida. Lee, a state senator from Thonotosassa and a previous Senate president, filed the 2-page proposal late Tuesday, the deadline for commissioners to submit proposed amendments for the state’s governing document. Lee last month said he had been considering filing such […]

Drew WilsonOctober 24, 2017

Americans for Prosperity – Florida thanked the Senate Tuesday for advancing a bill that would allow physicians and patients to strike deals for primary care services without the need for health insurance. The practice, known as “direct primary care,” has gained in popularity as health insurance premiums have shot up over the past decade. In […]

Tag: Tom Lee
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

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Tom Lee defends dog racing ban; Pam Bondi noncommittal

Jimmy Patronis takes commanding fundraising lead in CFO race

Bill would permit trace cocaine amounts in racing dogs

CFO hopeful Jeremy Ring nabs four endorsements from Florida congressional delegation

Jeff Kottkamp: Real animal welfare reform starts with shelters

Tom Lee wants to know more about local bill for Water Street Tampa

Tom Lee files greyhound racing ban in Florida

AFP-FL praises senators for advancing ‘direct primary care’