Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeMarch 7, 2018

A bill that would require public office holders to resign before running for federal office could soon become law. The House passed the legislation (SB 186) late Wednesday night, sending it to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk for approval. The bill would require elected Florida officials to resign from their offices, effective no later than the day before […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed the latest version of comprehensive gambling legislation for 2018, and asked the House to go into conference to bang out a compromise. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson offered an amendment to the House bill (HB 7067) that already passed off the floor. The chamber OK’d it 22-10, sending it back. Hutson—a St. Augustine […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2018

A consortium of pari-mutuel owners is working on a proposal to increase the money they give to the state if lawmakers agree to grant slot machines in counties that OK’d them in local referendums, industry sources told Florida Politics early Wednesday. The play is to match or beat the revenue share—estimated at $200 million-$300 million […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 28, 2018

Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, says she won’t be pursuing the presidency of the Florida Senate. “As I’m completing my second session in the Senate, I’ve realized the commitment of pursuing and ultimately serving as presiding officer requires more time than I am willing to spend away from my family and my constituents,” she said […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 22, 2018

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is airing an ad in the Tallahassee market urging passage of a new gambling deal between the Tribe and the state. But with lawmakers saying their “bandwidth” has been sapped by a fight over the 2018-19 budget and by a legislative response to the Broward County high school shooting, it’s […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

Sen. Travis Hutson says he believes “there’s a way for us to get there” when asked about gambling legislation finally passing the Legislature this year. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax on Monday unanimously approved his 90-page rewrite of the Senate’s gaming bill (SB 840) for 2018. It now includes a House provision: A renewed 20-year […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 12, 2018

The Senate made some big moves Friday in the annual legislative dance that is the negotiation for an omnibus gambling bill. The biggest move: The chamber now includes a renewed 20-year deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida for $3 billion in revenue over seven years in return for exclusive rights to blackjack and slot […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 9, 2018

Working for Florida’s Families, the political committee of Senate Appropriations Chair Rob Bradley, raised more than $100,000 for the third straight month in January. The first month of 2018 saw $114,050 of new money come into committee coffers off 37 contributions, bringing it up to $1.650 million raised, with roughly $795,000 on hand. Among those who […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 31, 2018

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would require state and local officials to give up their current seat in order to run for federal office. Under the “resign to run” bill, SB 186, candidates would need to resign their current office 10 days before the qualifying period opens in a federal race if the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday, the Florida Senate Ethics and Elections Committee approved a landmark bill on “Creating the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct.” SB 1628, sponsored by Plantation Democrat Lauren Book, mandates that the task force meets every four years. It bars legislators, candidates, agency employees, and lobbyists from sexually harassing anyone, and […]

Tag: Travis Hutson

Resign-to-run bill heads to Rick Scott’s desk

Senate passes gambling bill, requests conference

As Session creeps to close, blockbuster gambling deal emerges

Dana Young withdraws from race for Senate President

Seminole Tribe ad is a Hail Mary for a gambling deal

Double or nothing? Senate gambling bill clears latest panel

Ante up: Senate files new 90-page gambling bill

Rob Bradley panel rakes in $114k, leads Northeast Florida Senatorial committees

Senate advances ‘resign to run’ bill

Backed by Pam Bondi, Lauren Book’s sexual harassment bill clears Senate panel