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Jeff Brandes, Matt Caldwell want to rein in asset seizure by law enforcement

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A pair of Republican lawmakers spoke to reporters Thursday about their proposal to revamp the seizure of assets by police in Florida, amid reports the value of property taken from suspects across the country now exceeds that of property stolen by criminals. St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes and Lehigh Acres Rep. Matt Caldwell told assembled media some elements of law enforcement are wrongly “self-appropriating” funds by taking advantage of civil forfeiture laws. The legislators say some laws — like the landmark federal RICO Act passed in part…

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Jeff Brandes on the future of driving: ‘Jack, take the wheel’

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Standing in front of the Tallahassee Automobile Museum on a rainy Tuesday morning, Sen. Jeff Brandes was talking about a coming technology that will revolutionize travel as much as the Model-T Fords on display inside the building did in the early 20th century. In the background was an Audi A7 “piloted driving” concept car named Jack, ready to take him and other legislators on a “look-Ma, no hands!” spin down nearby Interstate 10. Brandes was ahead of the curve in 2012 when he introduced…

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Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission aims to improve its image

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Victor Crist, chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, and Kyle Cockream, its executive director, both pushed back Monday against St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ call for an opinion from Attorney General Pam Bondi on the legality of the agency hiring a lobbying firm. Brandes request came days after a Fox-13 report questioned the agency’s using the lobbying firm of Corcoran and Johnston in Tallahassee. The story made it appear that the agency has only begun using such a firm now that state lawmakers are discussing dismantling it,…

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Mitch Perry Report for 11.24.15 – Did Rick Scott release something yesterday?

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

If you’re a reporter, you didn’t have to be in Jacksonville yesterday to learn the details of Governor Rick Scott‘s $79 billion budget. That’s because the governor’s press office helpfully sent out email after email to highlight aspects of the vast budget throughout the day, where the highlights include $1 billion in tax cuts and cutting 863 state jobs. There’s been a lot of news from Tallahassee of late, because the Legislature will convene for the 2016 session in less than…

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Jeff Brandes wants a legal opinion of Hillsborough PTC’s lobbying efforts

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Jeff Brandes is taking another shot at the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — this time over the fact that the PTC has hired a lobbyist. The St. Petersburg based state Senator has been calling for the demise of the agency for several years now, in part for their attempts to regulate ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. Now he wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to review the statutes governing the agency to determine if thy are lawfully permitted to spend…

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Pam Bondi goes to Nevada

Drawing on lessons learned after a nightclub massacre last year in Orlando, Attorney General Pam Bondi and members of her

Dana Young planning major re-election fundraiser December 2

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

House Republican Majority Leader Dana Young will raise funds for her re-election with a major event December 2 in Tampa. Cabinet members Jeff Atwater, Pam Bondi and Adam Putnam, as well as House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran headline the invitation for Young’s fundraiser at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. Honorary hosts include state Senators Jeff Brandes and Tom Lee, several state representatives, and Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee. Other notables on the host committee are Louis Betz, Justin…

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Jeff Brandes files bill to scrap, replace state medical marijuana law

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed new medical marijuana legislation Monday, saying he hopes to implement a “free-market regulatory approach” to legalized medical cannabis. “This legislation recognizes the growing support in Florida for the medicinal use of marijuana as an additional option for physicians in the treatment of their patients,” said Brandes in a prepared statement. “We build on the best practices of the 23 other states that have legalized medical marijuana. The bill creates a responsible regulatory framework, offers patients with debilitating conditions…

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