Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 16, 2015

It was a day of announcements at the state Capitol. Morning broke with former legislator Joe Scarborough announcing that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is selling his Tallahassee house. Details here. Rubio had purchased a three-bedroom/two bath house with fellow lawmaker David Rivera in 2005. It has been a bit of a headache for Rubio: The two were unable to unload […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

It’s only the middle of March, but Floridians for Solar Choice, the political action committee pushing to get a solar-energy initiative on the ballot in 2016, are on the verge of having enough valid petition signatures to get a review by the Florida Supreme Court. The group submitted 66,493 valid petition signatures on Friday, just shy of […]

Melissa RossMarch 13, 2015

Even as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemns the Rick Scott administration for its alleged refusal to use the term “climate change,” a globally recognized advocate on emerging green technologies says it’s important here in Florida to look at the bright side. “We try to look at this as the glass half-full,” says Hazel […]

Mitch PerryMarch 13, 2015

Welcome to the hottest Friday the 13th in March in Tampa Bay history. If it’s Friday in Tallahassee, it’s vacation day. Although the regular session began just 10 days ago, lawmakers are apparently burned out, and require a three-day weekend. No hearings are scheduled today in the Capitol. Then again, the U.S. House of Representatives […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2015

The drive to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot next year that would allow Floridians more choice about using solar power has enjoyed quick success, and furious push-back from their opponents. On Saturday, Conservatives for Energy Freedom, one of the groups pushing for a constitutional amendment in 2016 on solar, blasted the group Americans for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 3, 2015

House and Senate leaders touted water policy during opening speeches of the legislative session while Gov. Rick Scott again said he’s proposing more than required under Amendment 1. And House Speaker Steve Crisafulli warned that he’s reluctant to support an increase in land-buying despite Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2015

Major League Baseball spring training camps have or will soon open up everywhere in the next week. In Tampa, that means pitchers and catchers for the New York Yankees report later this week, with the rest of the roster due next Wednesday. And that includes Alex Rodriguez, the disgraced star returning to the team after a year-long suspension, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2015

The pent-up demand among Floridians to have a solar power option is strong. If you doubt that, consider that just a month into announcing their campaign, Floridians for Solar Choice organizers have announced they already have gathered 100,000 signatures to get a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot, and say nearly 1,000 people have joined […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 14, 2015

A leading supporter of a proposed solar energy amendment said Wednesday that backers will need $8 million to $10 million to fight utilities to get the measure passed. Floridians For Solar Choice Inc., a political committee created in December, announced its proposed amendment in 2016 that limits or prevents government and utilities from imposing barriers […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 14, 2015

A leading supporter of a proposed solar energy amendment said Wednesday that backers will need $8 million to $10 million to fight utilities to get the measure passed. Floridians For Solar Choice Inc., a political committee created in December, announced its proposed amendment in 2016 that limits or prevents government and utilities from imposing barriers […]

Tag: Floridians for Solar Choice

The day that was in Florida politics — March 16

Constitutional amendment on solar power close to state Supreme Court review

Private sector leads on climate issues, says Florida green tech expert

Mitch Perry Report for 3.13.15 — Random thoughts

The battle over solar power heats up in Florida as proponents fend off attacks from Americans for Prosperity

Session openers: Rick Scott touts enviro spending, Steve Crisafulli warns against land-buying

Mitch Perry Report for 2.18.15 — Haters gonna hate (on A-Rod)

Floridians for Solar Choice report big start to put homegrown power measure on 2016 ballot

Solar amendment backers say they’ll need $8-$10 million to fight utilities

Solar amendment backers say they'll need $8-$10 million to fight utilities