Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

A bill revamping the state’s process of public land acquisition and management passed its first Senate committee Tuesday. LobbyTools reports that SB 1290, filed by Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson is nearly identical to House equivalent, HB 1075, filed by Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell. Orlando Democratic Sen. Darren Soto submitted an amendment to strip language that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2016

Monday saw the Florida Senate Finance and Tax Committee pass the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill that would allow a referendum authorizing the half cent Better Jacksonville Plan sales tax to be extended until 2060, to pay off Jacksonville’s unfunded pension liability. Ahead of the committee meeting, Lenny Curry lobbied committee members, via private January meetings with Curry […]

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. […]

Tag: Wilton Simpson
Angie Gallo

Senate committee passes bill restructuring public land acquisition and management

Jacksonville “pension tax” bill clears 2nd Senate committee

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