Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 24, 2017

If there was ever a doubt about sitting CFO Jimmy Patronis running for election in 2018, this latest development should probably eliminate it. The former lawmaker and Public Service Commission member started a political committee for a possible run last week, and Tuesday an invite was sent out for a fundraiser hosted by Gov. Rick […]

Mitch PerryAugust 18, 2017

A day after state Sen. Tom Lee indicated he would enter the race for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Gov. Rick Scott committed to helping current CFO Jimmy Patronis stay in the position. “I’ve known Jimmy for a long time. I appointed Jimmy because I think he’s going to do a really good job as the […]

Joe HendersonAugust 16, 2017

Republican state Sen. Tom Lee of Thonotosassa doesn’t give up easily. He has filed two bills that for the 2018 session that are essentially repeats of proposals that didn’t pass this year. If enacted, SB 150 would eliminate the state requirement that would require motorists to carry $10,000 in personal injury protection. The 131-page measure […]

Mitch PerryAugust 10, 2017

Brandon-area state Sen. Tom Lee and Lithia Rep. Jake Raburn rankled members of the Tampa City Council earlier this year after they learned of the legislative proposal that would ultimately prevent cities and counties from creating Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA’s). While the bill did not make it to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk, it might next year, St. Petersburg […]

Drew WilsonAugust 7, 2017

Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring headed into August with about $130,000 on hand after spending more than he raised in July for his Chief Financial Officer bid. The Margate Democrat brought in a total of $45,396 between his campaign account and his political committee, “Florida Action Fund PC.” Combined, the two entities spent $60,515, including […]

Staff ReportsJuly 25, 2017

Fifty legislators received top marks from Americans for Prosperity-Florida, the largest number of A+ legislators since the organization began issuing its annual legislative scorecard. The organization released its 2017 Economic Freedom Scorecard, which graded 5,500 votes on 96 issues, on Tuesday. The scorecard showed 50 legislators — 11 senators and 39 representatives — received an […]

Mitch PerryJune 26, 2017

Rick Scott heads to Washington D.C. this week, ostensibly to meet with members of the Florida GOP congressional delegation regarding the health care bill unveiled last Thursday by Senate Republicans. What Scott thinks of the bill, or what changes he believes are warranted, remains a mystery. “I want to thank President Trump; he’s absolutely committed […]

Mitch PerryJune 16, 2017

The attempted assassination Wednesday morning of Louisiana Republican Congressman Steve Scalise in suburban Washington D.C. has shaken the nation. Certainly, lawmakers now realize how vulnerable they are to mentally unstable people with access to firearms who disagree with them politically. At Friday’s Tampa Tiger Bay Club, five members of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation were asked their […]

Mitch PerryJune 15, 2017

Although modest in scope, Tampa Bay area lawmakers and business officials are happy that Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation (SB 1672) they believe is the first step toward creating a regional network to push for transit. The bill changes the actual title of TBARTA. It will now be the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (it used […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott appointed a conservative jurist to the state’s Supreme Court in December, he made clear he wasn’t done. “I will appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term,” he said, referring to the mandatory retirement in early 2019 of the court’s liberal-leaning triumvirate of Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy A. Quince and […]

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.

Rick Scott hosting fundraiser for Jimmy Patronis’s political committee

Rick Scott: I will do ‘everything I can’ to ensure Jimmy Patronis stays CFO in 2018

Tom Lee reintroduces two insurance-related bills for 2018 Session

Wengay Newton warns Tampa City Council about the threat to CRA’s

Jeremy Ring raised $45K in July for CFO bid, spent $60K

50 Florida lawmakers earn A+ on AFP-FL scorecard

Rick Scott heads to D.C. to lobby for ‘Florida interests’ in health care bill, avoids specifics

House Republican Dan Raulerson wants everyone to own a gun

With law now in place, Tampa Bay region moves closer to regional transit

Progressive groups sue over Rick Scott’s judicial appointment power