Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 18, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday began considering a bill creating a legal presumption that parents deserve equal time with their children after a divorce. A vote on the measure (SB 250) could take place next week. In sum, it says starting with the assumption of 50-50 time-sharing at the beginning of custody cases is in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2016

A contentious bill meant to remake what critics call Florida’s antiquated alimony law and end “forever alimony” was cleared Tuesday by a Senate panel. The Judiciary Committee, the first of its three review panels, OK’d the measure (SB 668) by a 6-4 vote after impassioned comment for and against the proposal, even after speakers were limited […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 11, 2016

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Now the horse-trading begins. The Florida Senate on Thursday unanimously passed its $80 billion budget 40-0, setting up the conference process where legislators grind out a budget each year. Both sides of the aisle united to pass the spending plan, though some Democrats still raised concerns. Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth, for instance, suggested extra money would […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

Equal time for both parents after a divorce would be the starting line in child custody cases under a bill heading to the Senate floor. The Rules Committee cleared the measure (SB 250) on a 7-4 party-line vote on Wednesday. The legislation, sponsored by Brandon Republican Tom Lee, creates a legal assumption that 50-50 time-sharing is in the best […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 8, 2016

Lawmakers could only raise money for the first 11 days of the year, but that didn’t stop some of the top Republicans in Legislature the posting six-figure hauls to start the year. Campaign and committee finance reports aren’t due until Wednesday, though Sen. Bill Galvano’s political committee, Innovate Florida, leads early filers after posting $216,000 […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Coming off a blockbuster December, Build Something that Lasts (the Lenny Curry PAC) spent more than it took in during January. About $15,000 was raised in January, compared with almost $31,000 spent. The notable donor of January: Elite Parking Services, the company of Dane Grey, one of two Jacksonville residents lauded in the State of the State address. Grey, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A bill aimed at effectively ending permanent alimony is heading to the House floor after clearing its final committee of reference on Thursday. The Judiciary Committee approved the measure (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, by a 14-3 vote. Chiefly, the measure limits judges’ discretion in awarding alimony by providing guidelines for how much an ex-spouse should get and […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

The House bill aimed at overhauling the state’s alimony rules is coming before its last committee before possibly heading to the floor. The Judiciary Committee will consider the bill (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, on Thursday. Among other things, Burton’s bill “effectively end(s) permanent alimony” by limiting judges’ discretion in awarding alimony after a […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2016

A bill that would limit the variety of Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets was cleared by a Senate panel on Tuesday after its sponsor curiously defined it as a “tax cut.” The Regulated Industries Committee cleared the measure (SB 790) on an 8-2 vote, with Republican Sens. Jack Latvala of Clearwater and Joe Negron of Stuart opposed. It limits […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The woman who was thrown out of a Senate committee meeting Thursday was unapologetic about her outburst, saying lawmakers deserved it. Cynthia Wheeler, a nurse and child-support activist from Palm Beach County, has come to Tallahassee before to speak on family-law related bills. She was in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday for a bill (SB […]

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

Child time-sharing bill goes before full Senate

Amid jeers, Senate alimony bill clears first committee

Senate unanimously passes its proposed 2016-17 budget

Bill on equal time in child custody heads to full Senate

Republican committees post 6-figure hauls in first days of 2016

Strategic January spending for Lenny Curry PAC

House alimony reform clears final panel

Alimony bill back before House lawmakers

Tom Lee calls bill to limit Lottery a “tax cut”

Child-support activist ejected from Senate panel vows to return