Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2017

Saying that he is “shocked” that a committee in the Florida House voted to kill funding for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida last week, Governor Rick Scott came to Tampa on Monday to urge the public to urge their state legislators to maintain the funding for those two besieged agencies. “This is an important issue to me personally,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 13, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott met with Lee County community and business leaders, holding the first in a series of round table discussions across the state meant to rally support for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida funding. “Right now, I’m going to fight every day to make sure we keep this funding because it’s good for your […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 13, 2017

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In response to Speaker Richard Corcoran’s pledge to increase funding for education, two Democratic ranking members called the statement “encouraging.” State Rep. Larry Lee Jr. of Port St. Lucie, the ranking member on the Pre-K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, and state Rep. Shevrin Jones of West Park, ranking member on the Education Committee, issued a statement Monday morning. “Ensuring […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 11, 2017

There is a profound reason why the Founders gave life tenure to federal judges, subject only to impeachment for bad behavior. As Alexander Hamilton explained it in The Federalist No. 78: “In a monarchy, it is an excellent barrier to the despotism of the prince; in a Republic, it is a no less excellent barrier […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2017

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After the Florida Legislature denied Governor Rick Scott’s $250 million in incentive funding for Enterprise Florida, Scott called for a financial review and audit for the agency, which House Speaker Richard Corcoran has declared he wants to kill during this year’s legislative session. On Thursday, officials with the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) […]

Associated PressFebruary 9, 2017

A push by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to limit how long top judges can remain on the bench is moving in the Florida House. A divided House panel on Thursday approved a measure (HJR 1) that would ask the state’s voters to approve a 12-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices and appeals court […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

The Florida Senate and House have agreed to work together on a joint rule to avoid a “who blinks first” approach to this year’s budget negotiations. Sen. Jack Latvala, the Clearwater Republican who heads the Appropriations Committee, Thursday told the Rules Committee he was “pleased to report” House leaders had agreed to consider what’s known […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2017

Rep. Francis Rooney dismissed rumors he is considering gubernatorial bid, saying he is focused on “being the best congressman” he can be for Southwest Florida. Rooney, a freshman congressman and the former ambassador to the Holy See, said he was not considering a run for governor in 2018. “I am considering one thing — being the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

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A Florida House panel Wednesday cleared a bill that would eliminate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, the VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, and a slew of economic incentive programs. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee OK’d the proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) by a nearly party-line vote of 10-5. One Democrat voted for it, Miami’s Roy […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 8, 2017

In 2012, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan went on a personal crusade to convince Bass Pro Shops to build a store in Brandon. Hagan’s aim was to create jobs as the county struggled to recover from the Great Recession. He proposed an “incentive” package that was about $15 million of taxpayer money, arguing that it […]

Tag: Richard Corcoran

At Tampa rally for Enterprise Florida funding, Rick Scott repeatedly calls out Shawn Harrison

Rick Scott talks Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida with SWFL business, community leaders

Democrats issue statement on education funding

Federal judges’ lifetime tenure for good reason; Tallahassee should take note

Joint auditing committee review hears mixed review of Enterprise Florida’s success rate over the past decade

Term limits for top Florida judges clears first hurdle

House, Senate trying to avoid budget showdown over rules

Francis Rooney says he’s not considering 2018 gubernatorial bid

House panel votes to kill Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA

On Rick Scott/Richard Corcoran feud; ‘incentives’ not needed to draw business to Florida