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GOP lawmakers want elected education commissioner back on Florida Cabinet

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A pair of Republican lawmakers will seekĀ approval forĀ a new cabinet-level commissioner of education during the 2016 Legislative Session, reversing the office’s demotion to an appointed position in 2003. The proposals ā€” SB 942 by Sen. Rene Garcia of MiamiĀ andĀ HBĀ 767Ā by Rep.Ā Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach ā€”Ā would require aĀ constitutional amendment to reinstate the education commissioner as one of five voting members on the FloridaĀ Cabinet, responsible for deciding executive branch policy and implementing law across the state. The commissioner would return to aĀ previous…

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Lawmakers seek to expand term limits from 8 to 12 years

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A Democratic House member and a Republican Senator want voters to expand term limits for state lawmakers from eight to 12 years. House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford and Sen. Rene Garcia undo boldĀ Thursday that they’ll ask the Legislature to place a measure on the 2016 ballot asking voters to loosen the current term limits. They said the measure wouldn’t allow any current lawmakers to stay in officer longer, but rather is aimed at future senators and representatives. They argued that…

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Senate removes Confederate flag from official seal

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In a surprise move, Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner on Monday brought up for discussion a planĀ to removeĀ a Confederate flag from the chamber’sĀ official seal and replace it with the state flag. The plan was adopted without objection during the firstĀ floor session of the third Special Session of this year, though not before several senators were caught off guard. “This is a very emotional, controversial issue; I understand that,” said state Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. “…IĀ think symbols are…

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Senate Republican committees post major fundraising numbers

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Republican state Sens. Jack Latvala and Joe Negron may have posted big-time fundraising numbers last month, but they werenā€™t the only Senate Republicans raking in contributions. The political committee supporting Bradenton Republican state Sen. Bill Galvano for Senate president brought in $207,500, its best fundraising performance since February, and it only took 10 contributions to hit that mark. Innovate Floridaā€™s biggest contributions came from the U.S. Sugar Corp. and Florida Power & Light topped the list, each giving $50,000, with…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat toĀ Legislative IQ powered by LobbyTools, here are the latest movements ā€“ both on and off ā€“ of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Luke StricklandĀ is a new legislative assistant in theĀ Senate Majority Office. Off: Christine DonFrancescoĀ is no longer a legislative assistant forĀ Wellington Democrat state Sen. Joseph Abruzzo. Off: Katie MartinĀ is no longer a legislative assistant forĀ Lakeland Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel. On: John KotykĀ became a legislative assistant forĀ Elkton Republican state Sen. Travis Hutson. Off: Gina HerronĀ has…

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Top Senate Republicans bring in committee cash for August

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Political committees for top Senate Republicans have started to bring in cash again after the trio of sessions kept a lock on fundraising for most of the last five months. Clearwater state Sen. Jack Latvalaā€™s political committee, Florida Leadership Committee, brought in the most money last month with a $251,000 performance, though there was still plenty of money to go around. Not including Latvalaā€™s haul, Republican senators brought in about $500,000 through political committees in August. State Sen. Wilton Simpson…

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Florida Sheriffs Association names Legislative Champions for 2015

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Florida’s leading law enforcement associationĀ recognizedĀ 10 legislators this week forĀ providing significant advancementsĀ in 2015 to the state’s overall public safety. Florida Sheriffs Association is a for-profit corporation representing Florida Sheriffs, as well as nearly 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 Floridians. The association released itsĀ annual list of Legislative Champions on Monday night during the group’s Summer Conference in Broward County. State senators named as FSAĀ Legislative Champions for 2015 include Rene Garcia of Hialeah, Denise Grimsley of Sebring, Tampaā€™s Arthenia Joyner, Jack Latvala of…

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