Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Ryan RayJanuary 6, 2016

In a show of force behind Sen. Wilton Simpson‘s bid for the newly-redrawn SD 10, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and CFO Jeff Atwater all came out with endorsements of Simpson on Wednesday. “We need Wilton Simpson back in the State Senate, and that is why I am enthusiastically endorsing his 2016 re-election campaign,” said Bondi. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 5, 2016

As the sun sets on the Florida Senate’s magical day of random numbering, one of the clearest winners after the court-mandated district lottery is Sen. Wilton Simpson. When his home district from the CPS4a changed from a placeholder number 11 to Florida Senate District 10, the even numeral ensured the two extra years that could carry […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2015

funfair__ghosts__merrygoround_by_abbyarcanine-1024x1024.jpg

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – the legislative merry-go-round. On: Caitlin Butler, formerly Florida field director for Turning Point USA, is now district secretary for Altamonte Springs Republican State Rep. Bob Cortes. Off: Jonathon Little is no longer Cortes’ legislative assistant. He […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 8, 2015

Word is that the PAC formed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry supporters, Build Something That Lasts, had a quiet November in terms of fundraising. With no events, $7,300 was raised, and no Jaguars money was collected ahead of the Jacksonville City Council amphitheater vote, in November. The big donation: $5,000 from Stellar, the company of Curry […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2015

A Florida Senate committee approved Tuesday a $25 million per year investment, lasting 10 years, for water quality, restoration and protection of the habitat surrounding the Florida Keys. The Senate Committee on Community Affairs passed Senate Bill 770, known as the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, which seeks to protect the water supply in and around […]

Peter SchorschNovember 5, 2015

The bitter race between Jack Latvala and Joe Negron for the Florida Senate presidency has come to an end. “I am withdrawing from the race for Senate President,” said Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, in an exclusive to FloridaPolitics.com. “I am supporting Joe Negron for Senate President.” The deal for Latvala? “I will be Appropriations Chairman,” […]

Peter SchorschOctober 27, 2015

State Rep. Holly Raschein has filed what she calls her “top legislative priority for the 2016 Legislative Session,” a bill to create a Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Raschein, a Key Largo Republican, submitted the bill (HB 447) on Tuesday, with a Senate companion soon to follow from state Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican. The act seeks to invest […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

Screen-Shot-2015-10-22-at-6.32.30-PM-1024x1024.png

Making the Tampa Bay region look like a game of Twister, Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons late Thursday filed his own proposed map redrawing the state’s Senate districts. For instance, Simmons’ map creates a 16th District that takes in about the same area currently represented by GOP Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater, not by jumping the bay, […]

Tag: Wilton Simpson

Whirlwind Tallahassee Tuesday for Jax Mayor Lenny Curry

Wilton Simpson seeks to strengthen state’s synthetic drug laws

3 Florida Cabinet members among big-name pols endorsing Wilton Simpson in SD 10

What is John Legg thinking?

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Lenny Curry supporters’ PAC spends big in November

Senate panel OKs Florida Keys Stewardship Act, funding water quality, protection

Jack Latvala ends Senate presidency bid, will support Joe Negron, and be Appropriations chief

Holly Raschein files Florida Keys Stewardship Act

David Simmons files map for Senate redistricting