March 8, 2024 •
Florida Moves to End Public Funding for Campaigns
Senate joint resolution 1114 has passed both chambers and now making its way to Gov. DeSantis. The resolution calls for a referendum on whether the public wants to end the Public Campaign Finance Act of 1986, which uses a portion […]
Senate joint resolution 1114 has passed both chambers and now making its way to Gov. DeSantis.
The resolution calls for a referendum on whether the public wants to end the Public Campaign Finance Act of 1986, which uses a portion of taxpayer money to help fund political campaigns.
The act provided roughly $13 million to candidates and is credited with allowing less wealthy candidates to run.
October 23, 2023 •
Florida Governor Calls Special Session on Iran Sanctions
Gov. DeSantis called on the state Legislature to hold a special session to discuss further sanctions on Iran in response to Iran’s support of Hamas. DeSantis wants to expand the number of industries on Florida’s existing scrutinized companies list and […]
Gov. DeSantis called on the state Legislature to hold a special session to discuss further sanctions on Iran in response to Iran’s support of Hamas.
DeSantis wants to expand the number of industries on Florida’s existing scrutinized companies list and strengthen prohibitions against investing in companies that do business with states sponsoring terrorism.
The session is expected to convene on November 6 and adjourn on November 9.
October 9, 2023 •
Sarasota, Florida Lobbying Law Proposed
A Sarasota commissioner has proposed an act to require lobbyist registration for any person hired for the purpose of lobbying. The act is intended to diminish clandestine lobbying done in secret by private individuals. This act will affect anyone paid […]
A Sarasota commissioner has proposed an act to require lobbyist registration for any person hired for the purpose of lobbying.
The act is intended to diminish clandestine lobbying done in secret by private individuals.
This act will affect anyone paid to lobby the city on any matter and require them to disclose their client and the purpose of their lobbying.
The act will exempt those who are not compensated for lobbying activities or those lobbying on behalf of the community.
Finally, the act will establish a public database with a maintained list of lobbyists, their clients, and the subjects of their lobbying.
August 10, 2023 •
Federal Judge Strikes Down Restriction On Lobbyists
U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida permanently halted a portion of the lobbying ban approved by voters in 2018. The restriction barred public officials from lobbying, on issues of policy, appropriations, or procurement before governmental […]
U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida permanently halted a portion of the lobbying ban approved by voters in 2018.
The restriction barred public officials from lobbying, on issues of policy, appropriations, or procurement before governmental bodies or entities while in office.
Bloom determined the amendment language to be too broad and poorly defined, agreeing with the Plaintiffs in the case.
The six-year ban on lobbying pertaining to former state and local officers after leaving office was not blocked by Bloom and will continue to be in effect.
May 9, 2023 •
Florida Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 2023 session of the Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 5. Florida lawmakers approved a $117 billion budget that includes $2.7 billion in tax cuts for consumers and businesses, then moved quickly to adjourn their regular session. The […]
The 2023 session of the Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 5.
Florida lawmakers approved a $117 billion budget that includes $2.7 billion in tax cuts for consumers and businesses, then moved quickly to adjourn their regular session.
The new budget that starts July 1 is $5 billion higher this last year’s, thanks largely to unexpectedly high revenue collections.
The budget adds nearly $2 billion to the state’s reserves, bringing the total to about $10.9 billion, about $4 billion less than Gov. Ron DeSantis requested.
February 10, 2023 •
Florida Special Session Comes To A Close
The Florida Legislature has ended its special session today, February 10. Legislators passed bills supporting state control over Disney’s special district, migrant flights, and police election units. The bills will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis where it is […]
The Florida Legislature has ended its special session today, February 10.
Legislators passed bills supporting state control over Disney’s special district, migrant flights, and police election units.
The bills will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis where it is expected he will sign the bills into law.
Lawmakers will now prepare for the start of their upcoming regular session on March 7.
February 10, 2023 •
Florida Legislature To Hold Special Session
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will hold a special session this week to deal directly with Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed lawmakers to end the existence of Reedy Creek and in April of 2022, signed […]
The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will hold a special session this week to deal directly with Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed lawmakers to end the existence of Reedy Creek and in April of 2022, signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Now, the state must decide whether to assume control of the district and how to deal with the district’s debts.
The special session began February 6.
January 9, 2023 •
Miami City Commissioners Vote To Set Special Election
A special election has been set for February 27, to fill the seat recently vacated by former Commissioner Ken Russell. Commissioners had 10 days to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Russell’s term but could not find […]
A special election has been set for February 27, to fill the seat recently vacated by former Commissioner Ken Russell.
Commissioners had 10 days to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Russell’s term but could not find a consensus candidate.
District 2 comprises portions of Coconut Grove, Brickell, Edgewater, Morningside and downtown.
January 3, 2023 •
Florida Governor Issues Dates For Special Election
Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled a special primary and election to replace former state Rep. Joe Harding who resigned after he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements. Harding previously represented House District 24. The […]
Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled a special primary and election to replace former state Rep. Joe Harding who resigned after he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.
Harding previously represented House District 24.
The special primary is scheduled for March 7 with the special election following on May 16.
The Office of Secretary of State is expected to announce reporting dates for any PACs making contributions or expenditures to influence the elections.
November 9, 2022 •
Governor DeSantis Reelected
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won his bid for reelection against his Democratic challenger Charlie Crist. DeSantis won by a wide margin with almost 60% of the vote. DeSantis appears to have done well in Miami-Dade County, which has historically voted […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won his bid for reelection against his Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.
DeSantis won by a wide margin with almost 60% of the vote.
DeSantis appears to have done well in Miami-Dade County, which has historically voted Democratic.
November 9, 2022 •
First Member of Generation Z Elected To the United States Congress
Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost has won the seat for Florida’s 10th Congressional District. Frost becomes the first member of Generation Z to serve in the United States Congress. Frost defeated his Republican opponent Calvin Wimbish and will succeed the current […]
Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost has won the seat for Florida’s 10th Congressional District.
Frost becomes the first member of Generation Z to serve in the United States Congress.
Frost defeated his Republican opponent Calvin Wimbish and will succeed the current Democratic Representative Val Demings.
October 26, 2022 •
Governor DeSantis Announces Upcoming Special Session
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to call another special session to address the property insurance industry. The governor is working with lawmakers to schedule the upcoming session. While no confirmed date has been announced, DeSantis indicated lawmakers could convene […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to call another special session to address the property insurance industry.
The governor is working with lawmakers to schedule the upcoming session.
While no confirmed date has been announced, DeSantis indicated lawmakers could convene sometime after the November 8 election and before the end of the year.
October 4, 2022 •
Florida Congressman Resigns
Democrat U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch has submitted his resignation, which became effective September 30. Deutch was first elected to Congress in 2010, representing northern Broward County and southern Palm Beach County in what is now Florida’s 23rd Congressional District. Deutch is leaving to join […]
Democrat U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch has submitted his resignation, which became effective September 30.
Deutch was first elected to Congress in 2010, representing northern Broward County and southern Palm Beach County in what is now Florida’s 23rd Congressional District.
Deutch is leaving to join the American Jewish Committee where he will become the new CEO.
The district will be without a representative until a winner of the November election replaces him in January.
September 12, 2022 •
Tallahassee City Commission Approves Changes To Lobbyist Regulations
The Tallahassee City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 22-O-20 and Resolution 22-R-22, amending certain lobbying provisions. Ordinance No. 22-O-20 repeals the requirement of quarterly compensation reports and requires lobbyists to register individually rather than by firm. Resolution 22-R-22 raises the registration […]
The Tallahassee City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 22-O-20 and Resolution 22-R-22, amending certain lobbying provisions.
Ordinance No. 22-O-20 repeals the requirement of quarterly compensation reports and requires lobbyists to register individually rather than by firm.
Resolution 22-R-22 raises the registration fee from $25 to $500. The changes are effective December 31.
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