Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2016

With the Florida Legislature already powering through a third of their nine-week regular legislative session, board members with the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit agency (HART) expressed concerns on Monday regarding their chief legislative budget request for 2016. That would be a regional fare box system and smart card system — which would provide a uniform bus payment […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 27, 2016

For one night, Florida’s Capitol Press Corps took a break from making state lawmakers squirm and instead did its best to make them — and several hundred other spectators of The Process — laugh. The Skits took over the Tallahassee music venue The Moon on Tuesday. Better than last year’s event, the “sometimes annual” rite […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

An industry consortium supporting a bill to prohibit discrimination against workers based on sexual orientation gathered in the Capitol Tuesday morning, ahead of its first committee stop. Lawmakers joined with representatives of Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce in telling reporters the time for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Floridians to be considered equals in […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2016

The state Senate’s economic incentive package cleared a hurdle Monday when it unanimously passed the commerce and tourism committee. Among other things, the measure (SB 1646) , sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala, creates moves the state’s Office of Film and Entertainment to Enterprise Florida, the state’s public -private economic development organization, and renames it Division […]

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. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 24, 2016

What does Steve Crisafulli really think after the first two weeks of the 2016 Legislative Session? The word used again and again by some of those closest to him describe his frame of mind as “steady.” His leadership is “steady.” His outlook is “steady.” Those familiar with Crisafulli’s thinking say he was especially happy for Andy Gardiner to […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2016

The Florida Competitive Workforce Act will finally see the light of day, after what has been a long road to be heard by any committee in the Florida Legislature. Miami Republican Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla placed Senate Bill 120, sponsored by Boynton Beach Democrat Sen. Joe Abruzzo, on the schedule for his Judiciary Committee. […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2016

Bemoaning that a major Hollywood production set in Ybor City was recently filmed in Brunswick, Georgia, instead, the Tampa City Council is urging the Legislature to approve a film incentives proposal. For the fourth straight Legislative Session in Tallahassee, a measure that would provide tax incentives to lure film and television productions to Florida is being debated. Funding […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

Enterprise Florida was on the defensive Thursday as the state’s chief economist threw cold water on Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. The Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development held a workshop on the proposal. Amy Baker, head of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, told lawmakers the governor’s […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

HART members contemplate WWJD – What will Jack Latvala do on fare box plan?

Press Skits tease lawmakers, tickle Tallahassee

Boosters laud LGBT anti-discrimination bill; Jack Latvala predicts “tough slog” to passage

Capitol reax: Film incentives, expediting DNA lab testing, manufacturing sales tax

Jack Latvala now supports $250 million business incentive plan

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

Takeaways from Tallahassee – the “What’s Steve Crisafulli thinking?” edition

After long road, Florida Competitive Workforce Act gets first Senate committee hearing

Tampa City Council wants Legislature to OK film incentives proposal

Enterprise Florida losing fight for $250 million incentives fund?