Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Category archive

Top Headlines - page 2772

Today on Context Florida: Democratic mess, coverage gap, Panacea and undermining Obama

in Apolitical/Top Headlines by

Today on Context Florida: The Florida Democratic Party is a mess, a complete mess, says James Call. The party and not Charlie Crist is why Marco Rubio is a U.S. Senator and Gov. Scott has a bright future. Democrats simply do know how to talk to people. Compared to Democrats in the Legislature, Charlie Crist is a straight talker. More than a quarter of the way through the 60-day 2015 legislative session, and Daniel Tilson says the Florida Legislature remains deeply…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Bill to exempt use of public space from lobbyist gift ban passes subcommittee

in Top Headlines by

A House bill that would change the state-lobbyist gift ban to allow specifically local governments to offer meeting space to legislators passed its first committee stop on Tuesday. The Legislature in 2005 cracked down on lobbyist gifts after news reports of lobbyists hosting lavish dinners with legislators to discuss pending bills. The law prohibits lobbyists and the organizations they work for from offering, and a member of the Legislature from accepting, any direct or indirect “expenditure,” according to a Florida Commission on Ethics…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

House panel snuffs bill to limit lawsuits against tobacco companies

in Top Headlines by

With little to no fanfare the House Civil Justice Subcommittee early Monday deferred action on a bill aimed at snuffing out the lawsuits of 4,500 smokers and their families who have sued cigarette manufacturers but still are awaiting trial. Committee Chair Kathleen Passidomo announced at the beginning of the meeting that the bill, HB 1067, would be temporarily deferred and that she would not bring it back up during Tuesday’s meeting. A bill that is temporarily deferred must be brought back up…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Patrick Murphy says there’s more potential for bipartisan legislation in the Senate

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Patrick Murphy has touted himself as a nonpartisan problem solver ever since he initially ran for Congress back in 2012. So when asked if he’s been frustrated about the partisan gridlock that seems to permeate Washington, D.C., the just announced candidate for U.S. Senate is quick to list a number of items that he says shows he’s been working for his constituents in CD 18, which encompasses all of St. Lucie and Martin counties and part of Palm Beach County. “We’ve brought…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Cities, counties say bill would stick them with costs for moving roadside utilities

in Top Headlines by

A Senate bill that shifts from utilities to local government the cost of moving power lines and other utilities in easements for roadway expansions passed a Senate committee on Monday despite opposition from local governments. SB 896 by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg, was prompted by a dispute between the city of Cape Coral and the Lee County Electric Cooperative. In 2013, the city sued the electric cooperative in an attempt to recoup millions of dollars spent on moving utilities…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Steve Southerland will not challenge Gwen Graham in 2016, says his former chief of staff

in Top Headlines by

  U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham can breathe easier, at least if her former opponent’s chief aide knows what he is talking about. Jonathan Hayes, who served as chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, emailed members of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee to inform them that the two-term Republican will not be seeking a rematch against Graham in 2016. “Just wanted to let you all know that Steve will not be running for CD 2 re-election,” Hayes wrote on…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Florida Justice Association braces consumers for ‘trifecta of terrible’ today

in Top Headlines by

The Florida Justice Association put out an advisory warning that Tuesday’s legislative action could include an “anti-consumer onslaught,” as bills on the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement agreement, medical malpractice litigation and insurance company misconduct are all taken up in committee. “These pieces of legislation all have the direct effect of benefiting narrow industries at the expense of fairness and victims’ rights,” said Troy Rafferty, president of the trial lawyers’ group, in a statement.  “As the President of an organization with plenty of conservative Republicans who…

Keep Reading

1 … 2,770 2,771 2,772 2,773 2,774 … 2,881
Go to Top