Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 26, 2016

Senate budget chair Tom Lee has added a pair of potentially momentous gaming bills to the Appropriations Committee’s agenda for its meeting Tuesday. SB 7072 would expand slot machines beyond South Florida and reduce the effective tax rate on the machines. It would allow slots in six counties where voters already have approved the form of gambling […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 25, 2016

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Legislative leaders issued a joint statement on the 2016-17 state budget Thursday night: Members, We are pleased with the progress President (Tom) Lee and Chair (Richard) Corcoran (the Senate and House budget chiefs) have made and are optimistic we will be ready to begin the budget conference this weekend. We will update you as early […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday suggested, with as much subtext as he could muster, that lawmakers need to come around on his two main budget goals for 2016-17: $1 billion in tax cuts and $25o million for business incentives. After all, legislative leadership passed their priority bills early on, which Scott happily signed. The message was […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

The Senate’s alimony overhaul bill cleared its second review panel Wednesday, though it was again rushed through in the remaining minutes of a committee hearing. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the bill (SB 668), aimed of getting rid of “forever alimony,” on a 5-2 party-line vote. As in its first hearing in the Judiciary […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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After a debate that included mentions of monsters, Robert A. Heinlein and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its 2016 business and economic incentives package, including the framework for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. As bill sponsor Jim Boyd reminded members, it still has no funding: “This is a structure bill, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours Tuesday setting up the chamber’s 2016 business and economic incentives package, which will likely be debated and voted on by that chamber on Wednesday. A line of Democrats barraged sponsor Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, with questions on the measure (HB 1325) before it was finally rolled over to a third […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2016

The Florida Senate on Tuesday OK’d a proposal that creates a legal presumption that parents should get equal time with their children after a divorce. Senators voted 23-15 to approve legislation (SB 250) sponsored by Sen. Tom Lee, a Brandon Republican. The vote came about an hour after the Senate temporarily postponed a vote on the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2016

The Chairman of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club, Kent Bailey, issued out a letter to Hillsborough County Commissioners on Monday, where he once again stated that the Board should begin implementing policies right now to deal with transportation issues, before awaiting the results of referendum later this year (that may never even get on the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2016

Brandon state Sen. Tom Lee, conspicuously missing on a list last fall of Florida state senators backing Jeb Bush‘s presidential aspirations, said Monday he’s foursquare behind Marco Rubio for the GOP presidential nomination. “Beyond being a good friend, Marco Rubio is a committed conservative leader with a unrivaled record of accomplishment in Florida and Washington,” Lee said […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

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A concept of “deal” implies that each side gets “something.” Not so with Uber and the taxi industry. So far, in all negotiations, Uber has stuck to everything they want, yet offering little (or nothing) in return. From the onset, Uber’s arrival in Florida quickly became a matter of ignoring the existing rules, beginning with […]

Tag: Tom Lee
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Senate budget chief Tom Lee adds gaming bills to Appropriations panel agenda

Budget conference to begin this weekend

Rick Scott calls session “successful” – but still hasn’t got what he wants

Alimony bill clears 2nd committee in Senate

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

House members grapple with incentives funding process

Senate approves child time-sharing bill

Mitch Perry Report for 2.23.16 – Still waiting for that Go Hillsborough Sheriffs report

Tom Lee is now backing Marco Rubio for president

The case for the taxis not making a legislative deal with Uber & Lyft