Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2016

We liked this lead so much from last week, we’re recycling it: With halftime in the 60-day 2016 Legislative Session on Wednesday, “the theme so far is like a line from a Frankie Valli song: ‘… so close/And yet so far.’ “ With budget votes in each chamber and conference ready to begin, about $1 billion still separates […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2016

Travis Cummings has had bigger fundraising hauls than he had in January, yet the HD 18 Republican incumbent is likely still smiling. $8,150 of new money pushes Cummings over $187,000, against just under $47,000 spent. Build Something that Lasts, the Lenny Curry PAC, maxed out for Cummings, the original House sponsor of the “discretionary sales surtax” […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 29, 2016

Northeast Florida legislators have their share of local projects and asks in the House budget. Prominent areas, as one would expect, include education on all levels, as well as social services, and a couple of infrastructural projects. These aren’t splashy asks; they are quality of life requests, and in some cases (especially that of Lake […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 25, 2016

Without a doubt, the most interesting Senate committee meeting of the new Florida Legislative Session for Jacksonville will occur Tuesday morning. The Committee on Community Affairs meets to consider nine bills, but it’s the sixth that should interest Jacksonville locals. The Discretionary Sales Surtax bill, introduced by Sen. Rob Bradley and co-sponsored by Sen. Aaron […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 14, 2016

With the MLK Birthday Breakfast Friday calling him back to Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry will wrap up his Tallahassee trip Thursday after meetings galore. One would surmise that those meetings are intended to create buy-in for his pension sales tax proposal, which some worry was advanced a bit late for this Legislative Session. Curry’s meeting schedule […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 12, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has a packed schedule for the first day of the 2016 Legislative Session, truly paying the cost to be the boss. With a pension tax plan needing approval from lawmakers, Curry is bringing his A-game to the State Capitol; indeed, his phone calls started at 8 a.m., as his driver ferried his […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

Ending “balance billing,” overhauling the state’s insurance laws, and preserving a practice called “prior authorization” are among the goals of the Florida Association of Health Plans for this legislative session. The organization, which represents every health insurer in the state other than Florida Blue, released its priority list on Monday. “FAHP consistently supports legislative proposals that […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 11, 2016

Back in December, the Duval Delegation heard from dozens of speakers, all with their specific asks. The Port wants money for harbor deepening. The School District wants money for low-performing schools, as well as money to remedy safety issues and to boost technology. Jacksonville Transportation Authority: money for the Ferry. UF Health: money to overcome […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 8, 2016

House District 18 Republican Travis Cummings raised over $44,000 in December, bringing his total very close to $180,000, a big number for the Orange Park incumbent. He has spent just over $39,000 in total, leaving him with about $140,000 cash on hand. From individual donors, such as lobbyists Mark Pinto and Joe Mobley and Russ Armistead (the head […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 6, 2016

As members of the Lenny Curry administration will tell you, details regarding the proposal to extend the Better Jacksonville Plan half-cent sales tax until 2060 to pay off unfunded pension liability are still being ironed out. That includes in Tallahassee, where two variations on the same bill will be introduced, one in each chamber. State Rep. […]

Tag: Travis Cummings

Takeaways from Tallahassee: A good week for lobbyists, a tough one for oranges, Ed Narain

Lenny Curry PAC money swells Travis Cummings’ campaign coffers in January

Education, social services top Northeast Florida House members’ budget requests

Senate panel to discuss Jacksonville’s pension liability surtax Tuesday

Lenny Curry wraps up Tallahassee junket Thursday with more pension tax meetings

Whirlwind Tallahassee Tuesday for Jax Mayor Lenny Curry

Health-plan group releases priorities for 2016 Legislative Session

Duval Delegation 2016 legislative priorities run the gamut

Travis Cummings’ HD 18 fundraising surges in December

Travis Cummings, Rob Bradley discuss Jax pension tax proposal