Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

At 4 p.m. Monday the second of three state Senate committees (Finance and Tax) will consider the “discretionary sales surtax” bill that Jacksonville’s financial future has become predicated upon. Passage of the bill to extend the Better Jacksonville Plan’s half-cent sales tax as far out as 2060 (from a current sunset date of 2030), would […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Observers of the state Legislature in Tallahassee will recall the backlash that ensued after the Florida House passed a measure last year that effectively codified existing law that same-sex couples could adopt. The bill, sponsored by Miami Beach Democrat Dave Richardson, ultimately made it through the Senate, but not before there was another measure sponsored […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

Tuesday, the Community Affairs Committee of the Florida Senate approved Senate Bill 1652, the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill introduced by Rob Bradley and co-sponsored by Aaron Bean. The bill has its first House committee stop scheduled for Wednesday; it still has two Senate committees to go. As the meeting soldiered toward the presentation, Jax Mayor Lenny Curry could be […]

Steve SchaleJanuary 24, 2016

If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me in the last two weeks what the new State Senate maps mean for the partisan balance of the State Senate, I wouldn’t need to play Powerball. There is no question the maps are good news for Democrats. But how much good news? The answer […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 19, 2016

Before the Republican leadership in the Florida Senate coronates John Legg as Jack Latvala‘s successor, it might want to check with former state Rep. Ed Hooper. On Tuesday, Hooper told FloridaPolitics.com that he has mailed his paperwork to the Florida Division of Elections making him a candidate for Latvala’s north Pinellas seat, which will be […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2016

In the Florida Legislature, John Legg is one of the good guys. A protege of populist Mike Fasano, Legg is a dedicated, policy-driven lawmaker with years of legislative experience that run counter to his boyish looks. That said, Legg has been somewhat of an enigma lately, although it’s understandable why he’s been acting the way […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 14, 2016

A bill that would that would reform the driver’s license and revocation process in Florida passed unanimously Thursday in the Senate Transportation Commission. The legislation (SB 7046) sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes would revise requirements relating to the payment of court-related fines or other monetary penalties, fees, charges, and costs. It would also require traffic […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 13, 2016

The financial cold shoulder Republican state Senators had been giving to the Republican Party of Florida appears to be thawing. As reported by several outlets after Monday’s campaign finance reporting deadline, the RPOF’s fundraising totals are their lowest in years. They even failed to double up the Florida Democratic Party, as was standard most years. […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 12, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has a packed schedule for the first day of the 2016 Legislative Session, truly paying the cost to be the boss. With a pension tax plan needing approval from lawmakers, Curry is bringing his A-game to the State Capitol; indeed, his phone calls started at 8 a.m., as his driver ferried his […]

Ryan RayJanuary 8, 2016

Sen. Wilton Simpson has filed a 203-page bill aimed at cracking down on synthetic drug use and manufacturing, and closing various loopholes that have allowed their continued presence in Florida. Simpson’s SB 1528, filed Friday, authorizes the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and Department of Business and Professional Regulation to suspend business licenses over drug violations, adds new […]

Tag: Wilton Simpson
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Lenny Curry pension tax proposal hits 2nd Senate committee Monday

Mitch Perry Report for 1.27.16 – “Pastor Protection Act” moves through state Senate

Jax pension tax bill clears Senate Community Affairs Committee

Steve Schale: New state Senate map favors the Democrats

Former lawmaker Ed Hooper filing to succeed Jack Latvala in state Senate

What is John Legg thinking (Part 2)?

Jeff Brandes driver’s license suspension reform bill passes unanimously in committee

Despite intraparty tension, state Senators pony up cash to Florida GOP

Whirlwind Tallahassee Tuesday for Jax Mayor Lenny Curry

Wilton Simpson seeks to strengthen state’s synthetic drug laws