Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

The Senate on Wednesday began moving its omnibus gambling bill for 2018 without addressing one looming issue sure to cause headaches: Sports betting. And there’s a reason it’s not in this year’s legislation (SB 840), according to Sen. Travis Hutson, chair of the Regulated Industries Committee: To avoid a meltdown with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 17, 2018

The frontrunners for the 2022 Florida Senate Presidency have spent the last few months adding funds to their political committees and, more importantly, using that money to help out a handful of potential backers when it comes time to vote in a couple years. Sens. Travis Hutson and Dana Young are still the top contenders […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 16, 2018

A Senate committee approved a resolution calling Congress to keep in place a moratorium against oil drilling in the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico. The military uses the area in question for air and sea training. Tuesday’s vote by the Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation comes a week after the Donald Trump administration […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 12, 2018

Northeast Florida State Senators Audrey Gibson, Aaron Bean, and Travis Hutson face no serious opposition; however, fundraising continued apace in December. Gibson, who may face a 2018 primary battle from Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Brown, brought in $12,750 in December off of 16 checks — half of them from consultants and political organizations. Bean, unopposed this year, topped $90,000 […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 12, 2017

Correction: A previous version of this post misidentified a consultant for Sen. Travis Hutson. We regret the error. Northeast Florida’s State Senators continued strong fundraising in November. Three of them for re-election, and another on the committee level only. ____ Sen. Aaron Bean brought in $14,600 in new November money to his campaign account, pushing the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2017

The Seminole Tribe of Florida‘s top in-house lawyer told lawmakers this week that their fantasy sports bills are a dealbreaker. A $200 million dealbreaker. The Tribe now says fantasy sports bills filed for the 2018 Legislative Session, if passed, would violate the Seminole Compact. That’s the gambling agreement struck by the state and the Seminoles […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party now says Sen. Jack Latvala “must resign” in light of “the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against” him. The party released a statement Tuesday through its spokeswoman, Johanna Cervone. It follows calls from fellow GOP senators also calling for him to, or suggesting that he, step down from office. “Latvala’s behavior is […]

Jim RosicaNovember 27, 2017

Legislation that critics said would allow theme parks to “extort” advertising dollars from beer companies has been re-filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. The bills (HB 775, SB 822), filed by Republicans Rep. Mike La Rosa of St. Cloud and Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, generally would allow “cooperative” advertising in theme parks. Hutson, chair of […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 9, 2017

The Florida Senate is about to tackle gaming issues again. Sen. Travis Hutson‘s latest bill (SB 840) is less ambitious in scope than previous efforts, focusing on four topics: fantasy contests, greyhound and horse racing decoupling, slot machine taxes, and designated player games at pari-mutuel card rooms. “I am excited to take the lead on gaming for […]

Peter SchorschOctober 27, 2017

Could a third woman serve as president of the Florida Senate? That’s one of the intriguing questions at the core of behind-the-scenes maneuvering now fully underway within the Senate’s Republican caucus (currently at 24 members) as the race to succeed Bill Galvano and Wilton Simpson has quietly begun. Galvano was designated Tuesday as the next […]

Tag: Travis Hutson

The big thing that’s not in the Senate’s gambling bill

Senate President aspirants Travis Hutson, Dana Young continue to raise money at rapid clip

Senate committee advances moratorium on oil drilling in part of eastern Gulf

Modest December fundraising for Northeast Florida Senators

Incumbent NE Florida Senators pad campaign war chests in November

Seminole Tribe fires warning letter to Legislature over fantasy sports

Florida Democratic Party: Jack Latvala ‘must resign’

Drinking, advertising—and ‘extortion’? Beer bill back for 2018

Senate gaming bill promises ‘attainable reform’

Race for Senate presidency gets underway, but at stately pace