Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 26, 2017

Democratic U.S. Sen. Stephanie Murphy said Monday she intends to introduce legislation that would rework how the federal government provides funding for English as a second language programs, in order to account for incoming Spanish-speaking students from Puerto Rico. Appearing at a Puerto Rico forum in Orlando Monday morning, Murphy, of Winter Park, said the […]

Scott PowersJune 26, 2017

Orlando’s Democratic state Sen. Victor Torres has thrown his support behind former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham for governor. Torres is a first-term senator who spent two terms in the Florida House of Representatives. “As someone who has lived a full life full of hard work, I can tell you nothing provides more insight into what […]

Scott PowersApril 27, 2017

Sometimes fate plays that unexpected card that makes all the difference, such as Wednesday when the Florida House of Representatives narrowly approved the controversial “whiskey & Wheaties” bill, allowing whiskey to be sold in grocery stores. Earlier that day a 30-year-old Monticello man driving in Tallahassee was distracted by a device, didn’t see the red […]

Scott PowersApril 26, 2017

Orlando Democratic State Sen. Victor Torres and his wife Carmen Torres were injured in a car crash Wednesday morning in Tallahassee but have been released from the hospital. The three-car crash – with the Torreses in the middle – occurred early Wednesday right in front of the Capitol Building, at the corner of Apalachee Parkway […]

Terry RoenMarch 17, 2017

The TRUST Orlando Coalition Friday unveiled statewide legislation designed to protect the safety and constitutional rights of Florida’s immigrant communities. Carmen Torres, wife of Senator Victor Torres, and Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, spoke on the steps of Orlando City Hall urging passage of House Bill 1407 and Senate Bill 1674. “Florida is home to 925,000 […]

Scott PowersMarch 10, 2017

Republican state Rep. Jason Brodeur had a very, very good fundraising month in February for his campaign for state Senate District 9, raising nearly $88,000 in his campaign account and another $318,000 for his political committee. But then he gave much of it back. “We worked real, real hard,” Brodeur, of Sanford, stated in comments to FloridaPolitics.com, […]

Scott PowersMarch 6, 2017

State Sen. Victor Torres has introduced a bill to force call center operators to give extended notices if they intend to shut down or move call-center jobs out of state or overseas. The Orlando Democrat filed Senate Bill 1632 to require call centers that reduce their staffs by more than 30 days relocate outside of […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2017

The Pulse nightclub massacre took its toll on at least one Orlando cop who responded that horrible morning and state Sen. Victor Torres said he’s convinced it’s time the state recognized Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a covered disability for Workers Compensation claims. Torres filed Senate Bill 1088 Wednesday night to make first responders suffering from […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 14, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On and off: Tiffany Harrington has replaced Heather Williamson as House staff director of the Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining. On: Teri Cariota, formerly an aide to former Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

The list of legislative hopefuls just keeps getting longer. State elections records show dozens of members of the state House and Senate have filed to run for re-election in 2018, and several more are looking ahead to 2020. Sen. Dorothy Hukill is one of those thinking about her next election. State election records show she […]

Tag: Victor Torres
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

Stephanie Murphy seeks to rework ESOL funding to account for Puerto Ricans in Florida

Victor Torres jumps on Gwen Graham bandwagon

Fate takes a hand in whiskey & Wheaties bill as Amy Mercado cares for her parents

Victor Torres, wife Carmen Torres, recovering after car crash

Orlando Trust Coalition urges legislators pass protections for immigrants

Jason Brodeur raises nearly $400K for 2020 state Senate bid — then gives $165K back

Victor Torres seeks to save call-center jobs

First responders suffering from PTSD addressed in Vic Torres bill

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018, 2020