December/January Legislative Update

Legislative Update
Session is coming up fast. We have two more committee weeks in December before we start January 13th.

Campaigns have been very active as there are quite a few special elections coming up.

The general election for Senate District 11 will be held on December 9th. This was former Senator Blaise Ingoglia’s seat who is now our appointed CFO. We are supporting Dr. Ralph Massulo who is a dermatologist, MOHS surgeon, and is highly anticipated to win. He will be an excellent addition to the Florida Senate for us.  So, if you are in that district, please go vote.

Also, there is a special election to fill Rep Casselo’s seat District 90 as he recently passed while in office.

Rep Mike Caruso was appointed Clerk of Court for Palm Beach County which has created an open House seat. We are supporting candidate Jon Maples for House District 57. The primary is set for January 13th and the General is March 24th.

Senator Jay Collins, District 14, was appointed to Lt Governor which has created an open Senate seat that Josie Tomkow, Health and Human Services Chair, has filed to run for. She can serve out her term this session. She faces no Primary opposition, and the General will be March 24th.  We are supporting her candidacy.  Hilary Holley has filed for Rep Tomkow’s seat – District 51. We are supporting her as well. The Primary for that race will be held January 13th with the General on March 24th. These are Tampa seats.

The entire House, half the Senate, the Governor (termed out), and all the Cabinet seats are on the ballot this election cycle. It is important to note elected House and Senate members cannot fundraise during the Legislative session.

Legislatively bills are being filed and numbered as I type. I anticipate the mammography bills to be back before the legislative body this session.

The “free kill bill” has been filed and has moved rapidly through the House but to date it has no Senate companion bill. Senator Yarborough, the historic senate sponsor, has announced he does not intend to file the bill this year.

I anticipate scope expansion bills will be filed as well.

I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy holiday season.

Best,
Alison Dudley Lobbyist, FRS
alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com