Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonFebruary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has added a new title to his resume in the last few weeks – lame duck. Sure, he officially retains the job of Florida governor until a successor takes over in 2019, but for all intents, it appears a majority of state House members aren’t waiting until then to stop listening to […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott‘s administration is asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. A Leon County circuit judge held a brief hearing Thursday over Corcoran’s lawsuit that maintains the Florida Lottery broke the law when it approved a more than $700-million contract with IGT Global Solutions to help run […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is now saying that his fellow Republicans in the Florida House are using “fake news” to justify their plan to scrap the state’s economic development agency. Scott used his campaign Twitter account on Wednesday to distribute a video critical of House Speaker Richard Corcoran and House Republicans. The video labels Corcoran a […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 22, 2017

Is Florida’s judicial ethics commission about to become collateral damage in a battle over the independence of the courts? House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Land O’Lakes Republican, appears to have targeted the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) along with the courts themselves in his campaign to curb the independence of the judiciary. The JQC and the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran offered a compromise Monday in his plan to kill the public-private VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, but Gov. Rick Scott rejected it as a “massive cut.” One day before a bill (HB 7005) aimed at eliminating the organization gets its second and final committee review, an amendment to be offered by GOP state Rep. Paul Renner would save […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

The Florida Lottery, now being sued by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Monday said it had reached “another record – $1 billion in contributions to education for the 15th consecutive year.” On Friday, Corcoran – a Land O’ Lakes Republican – filed suit against the state agency for “wasteful and improper spending” for signing a multiyear, $700 million deal for new […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 20, 2017

Florida lawmakers will probably not make texting while driving a primary traffic offense in 2017, although it is the law in 41 other states. Right now, Florida doesn’t allow officers to pull over drivers for texting and driving unless they notice another potentially dangerous or deadly offense at the same time. In an interview with […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

When it comes to supporting the state’s hospitality industry, Carol Dover won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Despite the Florida House’s opposition to spending money on tourism marketing in the state budget, her Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is seeking $1 million to do just that. And the funding request is being sponsored by GOP state Rep. […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has released an opinion column on the “Florida House playing politics with Florida jobs” one day before a House panel discusses killing Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA and many business incentive programs. Scott’s office emailed the op-ed to news media Monday afternoon. The House Appropriations Committee meets Tuesday to consider a bill that would eliminate […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 20, 2017

There’s one committee week left until the start of the 2017 Legislative Session, and you can bet lawmakers will be doing more than just debating the merits of their bills during their time in the capital city this week. House Majority, the campaign arm of the Florida GOP, will host fundraisers for several House Republicans, […]

Tag: Richard Corcoran

Rick Scott’s newest title – lame duck

Rick Scott to court: Throw out Richard Corcoran’s Lottery lawsuit

Rick Scott says fellow Republicans — he’s looking at you, Mr. Speaker — are spreading fake news

Judicial ethics watchdog could suffer in fight for independent Florida courts

Florida House, Rick Scott again at loggerheads over VISIT FLORIDA

Lottery says it’s generated $1 billion for education this year

WTSP exposé examines Florida’s ‘weakest in nation’ texting, driving laws

Carol Dover still fighting for tourism marketing money

In op-ed, Rick Scott still swinging against GOP opposition to incentives

Busy week for fundraising ahead of 2017 Legislative Session