Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Mitch PerryMay 2, 2017

Legislation to revamp the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) by reducing its footprint passed Tuesday a second reading on the Florida House floor. One more vote in the House, and the bill goes to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk. Sponsored in the House by Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson, HB 1243 would downsize TBARTA from seven counties to five (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee and […]

Jim RosicaApril 26, 2017

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The Florida Legislature has voted to tear down the booze ‘wall.’ The House, on a by-a-nose vote of 58-57, Wednesday passed the Senate’s bill (SB 106) to allow retailers, at least those who choose to do so, to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. The legislation now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2017

A House panel approved legislation Tuesday that would implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment, despite concerns from some advocates the proposal doesn’t honor the spirit of the amendment. The House Health Quality Subcommittee voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill (HB 1397) that would implement the 2016 constitutional amendment. Sponsored by House Majority Leader Ray […]

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 […]

Tag: Wengay Newton

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts

TBARTA revamp one step closer to Rick Scott’s desk

Legislature votes to tear down the ‘liquor wall’

House Health Quality Subcommittee approves medical marijuana implementing bill

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