Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 9, 2015

It was a day of testing at the state Capitol. The House Education Committee took about an hour to dispose of an overhaul of Florida’s school accountability system. The measure reducing testing and allowing an earlier start date of the school year sailed through with a few concerns expressed and a unanimous vote. While the […]

James CallMarch 8, 2015

This week politics at the state Capitol will be about money and a search for clarity. Legislators will get a better view of the hill they need to climb in building a state budget for the year beginning July 1. The Revenue Estimating Conference meets Tuesday and will count up how much tax money the […]

Associated PressMarch 4, 2015

Disagreement is surfacing between Florida Gov. Rick Scott and other members of the Florida Cabinet over how to proceed in the aftermath of Scott’s controversial firing of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Gerald Bailey. Aides to Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said in a Cabinet […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2015

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott hailed Florida’s diversity, featuring sentences in his speech that mentioned “we are home to over 250 languages,” and “we are clearly the best melting pot in the world.” However, in Ybor City’s Centennial Park in Tampa on Wednesday, a group of immigration activists said […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2015

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott hailed Florida’s diversity, featuring sentences in his speech that mentioned “we are home to over 250 languages,” and “we are clearly the best melting pot in the world.” However, in Ybor City’s Centennial Park in Tampa on Wednesday, a group of immigration activists said […]

James CallMarch 1, 2015

Tallahassee will become the capital city this week when lawmakers arrive at the state capitol Tuesday for the 2015 Legislative Session and begin debate on how to spend $77 billion. Other issues as well will be considered during the next 10 weeks; developing a state water policy, curbing the use of standardize test in public […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2015

Florida Cabinet members join legislative and business leaders for an in-depth examination of the state’s most demanding issues at the Florida Chamber Board of Governors Capitol Days. The annual two-day event is March 4-6 in Tallahassee’s Turnbull Center, 555 W Pensacola St. Key topics include Florida’s long-term water policy, the Chamber’s plan for smarter healthcare […]

Associated PressFebruary 22, 2015

With a mix of elegance and irreverence, only celebrity chef Art Smith could round up his famous chef buddies, a sea of white orchids and a drag queen DJ to pull off a wedding ceremony Saturday for more than two dozen same-sex couples on Miami Beach. Smith, a Florida native and former chef to Oprah […]

Ryan RayFebruary 20, 2015

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The Republican State Leadership Committee announced Friday that former House Speaker Will Weatherford has joined the organization’s Board of Directors. In a statement released this morning, former Florida Attorney General and RSLC Chairman Bill McCollum welcomed his old home state colleague: “I am thrilled to welcome Will to our Board of Directors,” said McCollum. “Electing new, talented […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Try as it might to Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet, the controversy over the handling of former FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey isn’t going away. This morning the conservative editorial page of the Tampa Tribune weighed in, writing that, “Gov. Rick Scott is sorely mistaken if he thinks a steady stream of press releases […]

Tag: Pam bondi
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

The day that was in Florida Politics — March 9

Capitol Preview: Money, press skits and the search for clarity

Disagreement surfaces over follow-up to Gerald Bailey firing

Activists say immigrants should count in Rick Scott’s Florida, too

Activists say immigrants should count in Rick Scott's Florida, too

The week ahead: Tally turns into Capital City

Florida Chamber hosts Cabinet, legislators in March for Capitol Days 2015

Chef Art Smith hosts mass gay wedding on Miami Beach

Will Weatherford joins board of Republican State Leadership Committee

First Amendment Foundation wants special prosecutor to investigate Rick Scott, Baileygate