Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mike SchneiderJune 2, 2016

A medical research organization that has received more than $350 million in public and private incentives says its Orlando facility’s long-term outlook is in doubt because federal research funding isn’t keeping pace with costs, and that’s why it asked the University of Florida to take over, according to a letter its leaders sent to Gov. […]

Jim RosicaJune 2, 2016

M. Kemmerly Thomas, a Tallahassee attorney in private practice, will be the next judge on the 1st District Court of Appeal. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Wednesday. The 49-year-old Thomas beat out five others for the opening, caused by the resignation of Judge Ronald V. Swanson. Finalists for the spot included Matthew Carson, general counsel to the Florida House […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

The National Federation of Independent Business/Florida is adding its voice to the business groups decrying a proposed 17 percent hike in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance to employers. The rate increase “is a $623 million tax on workers in Florida that will go primarily to workers’ compensation attorneys,” NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle said in […]

Jim RosicaMay 27, 2016

The state’s business groups are saying “we told you so” over the cost of workers’ compensation insurance. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has asked the state to consider a 17 percent rate hike in the cost of workers’ comp to employers. Workers’ comp is mandated by states to pay workers who get hurt on the job. The council submitted its filing to […]

Staff ReportsMay 26, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott appointed Michelle L. Naberhaus and Thomas J. Brown to the Brevard County Court. Naberhaus, a 41-year-old Merritt Island resident, has practiced with Dean Mean P.A. since 2015. From 2013 until 2015, she was a sole practitioner for Michelle L. Naberhaus P.L. Previously, she was a shareholder with the GrayRobinson firm. Naberhaus fills a […]

Staff ReportsMay 25, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags at half-staff for former state Rep. Martin Eugene “Gene” Campbell, who died last week. Scott issued the directive Wednesday. Campbell, a longtime high school teacher and administrator, served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1974-76 and again in 1978-80, according to Scott’s statement. “Campbell had a passion for education, often proposing […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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Florida’s college faculty union is taking a jab at Gov. Rick Scott’s “Degrees to Jobs” Summit. The United Faculty of Florida wasn’t invited to the event, which takes place Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando. It issued a statement on Tuesday. The mission of the summit is to “bring together Florida business leaders and education officials […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott made two judicial appointments in South Florida on Monday. Jose A. Izquierdo, a criminal defense lawyer, was named to a circuit judgeship in the 17th Judicial Circuit serving Broward County. Izquierdo, 40, of Miramar, most recently practiced on his own and with Izquierdo & Marin, according to a governor’s office news release. He previously […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed a former Leon County Clerk of Courts employee to a state retirement advisory panel. His office announced the pick Wednesday. Tom Napier, 81, of Tallahassee, worked for the clerk’s office as a special coordinator until his retirement in 2000. Napier said he will join the Florida Retirement System’s career service advisory […]

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

An animal research lab has filed suit to prevent the release of public records it says contain “trade secrets.” Primate Products, Inc. first wants a temporary injunction to prevent the state’s Department of Agriculture from releasing those records until the case’s final disposition. The company, with offices in Immokalee and Miami, breeds and sells “nonhuman primates for […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Image via AP.

Sanford Burnham asks Rick Scott to let UF take over facility

M. Kemmerly Thomas named new 1st DCA judge

NFIB/Florida joins groups opposed to workers’ comp hike

Business lobby blasts workers’ comp rate hike

Rick Scott makes more judicial appointments

Rick Scott orders flags at half-staff for Gene Campbell

UFF slams Rick Scott’s Degrees to Jobs Summit

Rick Scott names two new judges in Broward

Personnel note: Tom Napier tapped for retirement board

Animal research lab suing to prevent release of records