Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterNovember 29, 2016

Sen. Wilton Simpson has been appointed Senate Majority Leader for the 2016-18 legislative term, marking the second term in a row a likely Senate President has held the role. Senate President Joe Negron appointed Simpson to the position Tuesday. The announcement came as the Stuart Republican announced committee chair assignments for the two-year legislative term. […]

Michael MolineNovember 28, 2016

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A Florida House member has reintroduced legislation that would allow people to carry firearms inside airport terminals. State Rep. Jake Raburn, a Lithia Republican, filed HB 6001 on Wednesday. The measure would eliminate the words “passenger terminal” of airports from a list of places where state law forbids people to carry guns. The measure also […]

Peter SchorschNovember 3, 2016

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and incoming Senate President Joe Negron buried the hatchet long ago and, according to the most recent numbers from Latvala’s political committee, the two are very much playing on the same team. On Nov. 2, the Florida Leadership Committee, which served as Latvala’s war chest during the race for the Senate presidency, put $300,000 into the Florida […]

Phil AmmannOctober 11, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements — both on and off — of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Mary Kassabaum is no longer legislative assistant for Trilby Republican state Sen. Wilton Simpson. Off: Caroline Crow is no longer district secretary for Rockledge Republican state Sen. Thad Altman. On: Matthew Hunter is returning as legislative assistant for Fort […]

Staff ReportsOctober 4, 2016

State Sen. Wilton Simpson has been considering legislation to protect homeowners against unwanted intrusion from local code inspectors. The Trilby Republican had asked Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office about the legality of “code enforcement inspectors gain(ing) access to residential properties” without prior permission. This week, the office replied with an informal opinion that “a local code inspector is […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 13, 2016

Writing that “Hillsborough County is better than this,” Dana Young is the latest Tampa Bay area lawmaker calling for the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission to reject proposed new rules that ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft say would force them out of the local market. In a letter Tuesday to PTC Chair Victor Crist, Young says the current […]

Tom JacksonSeptember 13, 2016

Whatever else we might be tempted to say in the aftermath of last month’s recent primary election, for those who live and/or work in Pasco County, this, above all, is beyond dispute: Pasco is Mike Fasano’s county. Everyone else is just visiting. Who but Fasano, the nudging, empathetic, perpetually beatifying champion of the “little guy […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 12, 2016

Two lawmakers from the Tampa Bay area have high-profile fundraisers planned for later this month. With a host committee boasting more than 50 supporters — representing a range of Tampa Republicans — former House Majority Leader Dana Young is holding a special reception Wednesday, Sept. 28 for her Senate District 18 bid. Included among the special guests […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 30, 2016

Get ready to call her senator. Rep. Kathleen Passidomo defeated Rep. Matt Hudson in the Republican primary for Senate District 28. While her name will be on the ballot in November, she’ll face two unknown, out of district write-in candidates. “I’m deeply honored that the Republican voters of Senate District 28 have chosen me to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 29, 2016

With nearly $3.5 million in the bank and no races to spend it on, some Florida lawmakers are left figuring out what to do with the last of their campaign cash. While their colleagues are sweating out contested races, 42 members of the House and Senate are looking for ways to spend down the war […]

Tag: Wilton Simpson
Pollsters find that both of Florida's hot-button constitutional amendments in 2024 are falling short. Image via WFSU.

Wilton Simpson appointed Senate Majority Leader for 2016-18 term

Guns-in-airports bill resurfaces for 2017 Legislative Session

Money flow shows teamwork between former rivals Jack Latvala, Joe Negron

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Wilton Simpson concerned over homeowner privacy

Dana Young urges Hillsborough PTC to reject new rules for Uber, Lyft

Tom Jackson: In Pasco, all roads lead to Mike Fasano

Two Tampa Bay Republican lawmakers plan major fundraisers for late September

Kathleen Passidomo wins over Matt Hudson in SD 28

Elected unopposed, Florida lawmakers must decide what to do with leftover campaign cash