Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 13, 2016

We need a growing economy that works for all Floridians, not just the wealthy and well connected. But all too often our state lawmakers put large campaign donors, corporate special interests and ideological extremism above the needs of everyday Floridians. Fortunately there are some silver linings among the dark clouds of big-money influence that hang […]

Jim RosicaApril 13, 2016

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The vice chair of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development agency, sounded like he was playing defense in a conference call with the group’s executive committee Wednesday. “As you read some of the newspapers, they make it sound like we’re out of business,” said Alan Becker, co-founder of South Florida’s Becker & Poliakoff law firm. […]

Jim RosicaApril 12, 2016

As more than 100 of them crammed the waiting room and hallway of Gov. Rick Scott‘s office on Tuesday, advocates and opponents of this year’s alimony overhaul bill had a hollering battle over the contentious legislation. The opponents, led by Florida National Organization for Women lobbyist Barbara DeVane, scheduled a meeting with Scott’s staff at 11 a.m. to […]

Jim RosicaApril 11, 2016

Supporters and opponents of this year’s alimony overhaul bill will make their case at the Capitol on Tuesday. As Gov. Rick Scott reviews the legislation (SB 668), representatives of the Florida National Organization for Women, the League of Women Voters of Florida and other groups plan to meet with his staff at 11 a.m., according to FL-NOW lobbyist Barbara […]

Peter SchorschApril 10, 2016

Is State Sen. Greg Evers becoming the Hamlet of the Florida Panhandle? Reports first floated last year that the Okaloosa County Republican was toying with the idea of running for Santa Rosa County sheriff, to replace the retiring incumbent there. He was later mentioned as eyeing the job of Okaloosa County’s property appraiser. And Pensacola political blogger Rick Outzen added a 2018 run for Commissioner of Agriculture to […]

Melissa RossApril 8, 2016

A coalition of community groups is calling for State Attorney Angela Corey “to either resign from office or she needs to be voted out of office as the State Attorney in August 2016.” That, from the Community Leadership Coalition for Justice, Jacksonville Leadership Coalition, Jacksonville Progressive Coalition, Mothers on a Mission, and more. The groups held […]

Jim RosicaApril 8, 2016

11 a.m. update: Scott signed all the bills mentioned below into law. Original post follows. Gov. Rick Scott has a Saturday deadline to act on 17 more bills out of the 2016 Legislative Session, suggesting he may handle them as early as Friday, the last business day of the week. His daily schedule shows only […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has approved a repeal of a 148-year-law that criminalizes an unmarried couple living together. The measure legalizing “cohabitation” (SB 498) was one of 20 bills signed into law by the governor on Wednesday. The change is largely a reflection of the times: Though Florida was among a few states that still criminalized cohabitation, its prohibition […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Tallahassee attorney Tim Cerio, former general counsel to Gov. Rick Scott, is returning to the GrayRobinson law firm, according to a Wednesday news release. Cerio, who rejoins the firm as a shareholder, will practice “regulatory and health care law; administrative law, including representation of clients in regulatory, administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings; and complex litigation in state and […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Another day, another bill-signing deadline. Gov. Rick Scott has until Wednesday to act on 20 bills, all from the Senate, “including a bill that would expand courtroom protections for victims of abuse, and another that would repeal the prohibition on cohabitation,” according to LobbyTools Legislative IQ. If signed by Scott, “couples shacking up together would […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Mark Ferrulo: ‘Middle Class Champions’ stand tall in Tallahassee

Enterprise Florida shouldn’t “be overlooked,” vice chair says

Alimony bill supporters and opponents square off in Florida Capitol

Both sides of alimony reform putting pressure on Rick Scott

Peter Schorsch: The Top Five stories from Tallahassee – and more

Jacksonville activists demand Angela Corey’s resignation

17 more bills signed into law by Rick Scott

With Rick Scott’s blessing, “shacking up” now legal in Florida

Tim Cerio rejoining GrayRobinson law firm

More bills from 2016 Legislative Session to be signed Wednesday