Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2017

Legislation that would refigure the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) had its first hearing in the Florida Legislature, where it became clear changes may be needed if its to pass. The bill was introduced by Clearwater state Senator Jack Latvala earlier this month, and is being sponsored in the House by Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson. The bill (HB […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, will be subject to greater oversight under a bill passed the Florida House Friday. State representatives passed the measure (HB 9), sponsored by Paul Renner of Palm Coast, by a vote of 80-35. Its reception in the Senate will likely not be warm: That chamber has not moved a […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2017

In just the past few years, Florida has emerged as a state willing to go all-in on autonomous vehicle technology. Legislation that removes a requirement that the person operating a vehicle in autonomous mode possess a valid driver’s license — and instead make the autonomous car itself the licensed entity — easily moved Tuesday through the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 7, 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: House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee has brought on budget analyst Bryan Mielke, formerly a legislative assistant for Sebring Republican Rep. Cary Pigman. On: Brandon Miller is replacing Mielke as Pigman’s legislative assistant. […]

Staff ReportsMarch 6, 2017

The 2017 Session starts Tuesday, but some legislative hopefuls are already thinking about the next election cycle. State elections records show dozens of members of the House and Senate have filed to run in 2018. Rep. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican, filed to run for re-election in House District 6 in 2018. First elected […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2017

Women could sue doctors who performed an abortion on them without “informed consent” under a bill advanced by a House subcommittee Wednesday. Sponsored by Vero Beach Republican Erin Grall, HB 19 would allow women to seek damages from doctors who failed to adequately inform of the physical and psychological harms of abortion for up to […]

Mitch PerryDecember 20, 2016

At a town-hall meeting in Tampa’s Ybor City, newly-elected Senate District 19 Democrat Darryl Rouson said he feels that, finally, a serious attempt at criminal justice reform is going to take place in the Florida Legislature in 2017. “It’s my intention to change the Black Caucus this year so that all 28 members … really stand up […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2016

St. Pete City Council members are scheduled to receive a report on the progress of the St. Petersburg Pier at City Hall this morning. Architects from ASD Architects, Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers, representing the Pier and W Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Wannemacher Jensen Architects, representing the Pier Approach will present updated renderings of the new Pier. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 1, 2016

With Tallahassee a four-hour drive away, the annual meeting of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation to be held in two weeks in Tampa could very possibly be the only time local residents can address their state representative(s). That meeting will take place on Friday, December 16 at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water […]

Anne LindbergNovember 21, 2016

Tuesday is an important day for freshman members of the Florida Legislature. They’ll be sworn in and have to start making good on those campaign promises. However, there’s a lot to do before they start filing bills. “It’s going to be a learning session for me,” said Wengay Newton, who represents House District 70, which […]

Tag: Wengay Newton
Image via AP.

Bill creating Tampa Bay area transit authority gets first hearing in Legislature

House approves bill to rein in VISIT FLORIDA

Autonomous vehicle bill advances in House Committee

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018

Bill allowing women to sue doctors who perform abortions advances in Florida House

At town hall in Ybor City, Darryl Rouson says climate is good for “true” criminal justice reform

Mitch Perry Report for 12.15.16 — Pier politics, part VIII

Hillsborough legislative delegation to meet December 16

For Ben Diamond, Wengay Newton, a time of learning and outreach