Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 3, 2017

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Let freedom pour: Bills aimed at changing beer and booze regulations in Florida have cleared their latest review panel. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee OK’d measures that would allow beer distributors to give free branded beer glasses to bars and restaurants, authorize beer companies to advertise in theme parks and let craft distillers sell more […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

A bill that would essentially ban Florida cities and counties from regulating the locations or appearances of the next generation technology cell phone towers was approved by a Florida House committee Monday afternoon, but with some expectations that key provisions may be renegotiated. With backers contending that Florida needs to allow swift installation of 5G […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2017

A bill that—as one beer-company insider put it—could allow theme parks to “extort” advertising dollars out of them cleared a Senate panel this week. The legislation (SB 388), which allows beer companies to advertise in theme parks, was OK’d unanimously by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee with scant attention. It chips away at the state’s “tied house evil” law […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says a bill co-introduced by Tampa state Senator Dana Young would take away local control of public spaces, but Young says that the mayor has it wrong in his concerns about what the bill will actually do. “Telecommunications companies are pushing SB 596 and HB 687, legislation that would allow them to place small refrigerator-sized equipment, and even towering poles, […]

Scott PowersMarch 15, 2017

The Consul of the Mexican Consulate in Orlando and several groups blasted a Florida senate bill Wednesday that would make one set of criminal codes for undocumented immigrants and another for everyone else. Mexico Consul Juan Sabines Guerrero called Senate Bill 120 “condemnable by society as a whole” as he and representatives of the ACLU and […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 15, 2017

SB 352, a Travis Hutson bill intended to streamline the handling of redistricting cases in state courts, moved from the special order calendar to third reading Wednesday. The bill is intended to encourage judges to conduct redistricting actions in the sunshine, including public hearings involving potential district maps, keeping minutes of closed-door meetings on the plan, facilitating public […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

A bill aimed at streamlining the handling of political redistricting court cases cleared its last committee Thursday. The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Rules Committee on a 7-3 party-line vote. It’s now ready for the full Senate. It also “encourages” courts “to follow certain procedures to maintain public oversight when drafting a […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 21, 2017

A bill aimed at speeding up the handling of political redistricting court cases cut it close Tuesday, clearing its second Senate committee by a 4-3 party-line vote. The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Ethics and Election Committee, with all three Democrats on the panel voting no. The bill is a response to court challenges over […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 19, 2017

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Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper is assembling an impressive number of high-profile state lawmakers for a Tallahassee reception next month. Hooper, a former state representative, is seeking the open Senate District 16 seat currently held by Jack Latvala. Hooper’s campaign fundraiser will be Monday, March 6, from 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Governors Club, 202 South Adams […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2017

Legislation that would repeal the limit on the amount of money tobacco companies have to put up as appellate bonds could well be dead for the 2017 Legislative Session, which doesn’t even start till March 7. Legislative committees have already been meeting on bills, including HB 6011 and SB 100, which would kill the “bond cap” for tobacco companies that […]

Tag: Travis Hutson

Bottoms up: Beer, booze bills clear Senate committee

Telecom companies get committee nod for deregulation of 5G towers

Senate panel OKs beer bill — that beer companies hate

Dana Young says Bob Buckhorn should support utility legislation

Mexico Consul, ACLU, Civil Rights groups blast immigrant crime bill

Travis Hutson’s redistricting bill moves to Senate 3rd reading calendar

Senate redistricting bill clears last review panel

Redistricting overhaul barely clears second Senate panel

Impressive roster of GOP leaders line up for Ed Hooper fundraiser

Is tobacco bond cap repeal already dead for 2017 Session?