Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Jon Steverson to be the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The full Senate confirmed Steverson by 29-8 after a handful of Democratic senators raised concerns. Steverson has raised hackles for suggesting that the state allow timber harvesting and cattle grazing to help state parks […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

Perennial gadfly and Capitol fixture Brian Pitts is suing Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for “preliminary and perpetual relief” from what he calls an “invalid” state budget for this year. Pitts, a trustee of his St. Petersburg-based Justice-2-Jesus church group, filed a 30-page complaint in Leon Circuit Civil Court last week, according to court […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

In the first step of a long process, a House panel approved a measure that would allow Jacksonville to “repurpose” a local public-works tax to plug a $2.6 billion hole in the city’s public pension plans. The Finance and Tax Committee cleared the plan (HB 1297), which is backed by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. It would use money […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 26, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 25, 2016

What happens if the Florida Legislature refuses to ratify the Seminole Compact that Gov. Rick Scott negotiated with the Tribe? No one really knows, of course, but state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Boynton Beach, offered a tantalizing hint toward the end of a recent workshop by the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee. Addressing Jim Allen, the CEO […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

Lawyers for the state of Florida filed their response to a lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida nearly three weeks after a federal judge shot down their request to toss the case out. Among highlights of the filing: The state denies that the lawsuit was properly filed in Tallahassee and says “nothing in the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

In a move that combines policy goals with political pragmatism, state Sen. Jack Latvala on Monday told reporters he’s championing Gov. Rick Scott‘s request for a $250 million business incentive fund in next year’s state budget. Latvala said he would recommend the pot of money to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development, which he chairs. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate’s economic development bill took its first step of the 2016 Legislative Session, unanimously clearing the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday. The bill’s sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, last week had promised it would contain provisions for film and television production incentives. Florida has been losing out to other states when it comes to film shoots. […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 25, 2016

We live in a competitive world. Companies compete for our attention as consumers, and each state competes with all the others to entice those companies to move to their state. However, for Florida to attract new businesses, we must better market Florida domestically, nationally and globally. Florida’s low taxes and natural resources attract new residents, […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 24, 2016

We live in a competitive world. Companies compete for our attention as consumers, and each state competes with all the others to entice those companies to move to their state. However, for Florida to attract new businesses, we must better market Florida domestically, nationally and globally. Florida’s low taxes and natural resources attract new residents, […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head

Brian Pitts suing Rick Scott, lawmakers over “invalid” state budget

House panel OKs Jacksonville pension tax

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s “wide-open” alternative to the Seminole Compact

Jac VerSteeg: Sen. Joe Abruzzo’s ‘wide open’ alternative to the Seminole Compact

State responds to Seminole Tribe federal lawsuit

Jack Latvala now supports $250 million business incentive plan

Jack Latvala starts moving economic development bill with film/TV incentives

Ed Moore: Aiming toward a competitive future for Florida

Ed Moore: Aiming toward a competitive future for Florida