Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 20, 2017

It’s been a good year for my friend Shawn Foster. This week, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) of the Nature Coast named Foster, president of the Trinity-based Sunrise Consulting Group, as its 2017 Philanthropist of the Year. AFP honors individuals who exhibit and promote integrity, commitment, accountability fairness and trust in philanthropy. In its recognition, […]

Ana CeballosNovember 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday a state tourism record, attributing it in part to the “aggressive marketing efforts” of VISIT FLORIDA, which has been entangled in a political fight for its existence, largely funded by taxpayers. Scott said the state welcomed 88.2 million tourists in the first nine months of the year, which is a […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 20, 2017

The final committee week ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session begins Dec. 4. Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget is expected to be discussed in appropriations committees in the House and Senate. Totaling $87.4 billion, it is the largest proposed budget to come from a Florida Governor. The House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness […]

Darryl PaulsonNovember 20, 2017

Republicans have controlled the Florida congressional districts for almost three decades. During that time, the size of the Florida congressional delegation has jumped from 23 in 1990 to 25 in 2000, and 27 in 2010. Projections have Florida adding two more seats after the 2020 census, growing the delegation to 29 seats in the House […]

Mitch PerryNovember 17, 2017

With four unresolved murders in the past six weeks, tensions in Southeast Seminole Heights have never been higher. Among some black residents, there’s even more anxiety, with many complaining about increased surveillance in the community — and that was before the Tampa Police Department announced earlier this week that the chief suspect is a black […]

Phil AmmannNovember 17, 2017

A frenetic year in Jacksonville politics — including the passage of the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, pension reform, and the Kids Hope Alliance — is ending. And not a moment too soon. The Jacksonville City Council meeting this week had nothing on the agenda was worth covering, even by the standards of our Jacksonville correspondent. […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 16, 2017

It’s turkey time for some lawmakers, but crunch time for those charged with addressing Florida hurricanes. The Select House Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness met for the fifth time on Thursday, marking their last ‘educational’ committee meeting. The committee’s duties were originally split into three phases: gather information, solicit ideas for improvement and make […]

Drew WilsonNovember 16, 2017

The field of Democratic gubernatorial candidates could keep growing, but St. Petersburg Rep. Ben Diamond announced Thursday that he’s backing former Congresswoman Gwen Graham in the primary race to take over for Gov. Rick Scott. “Gwen Graham has shown she is not afraid to take on the special interests or status quo. Gwen understands that […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerNovember 16, 2017

Another battle about using increases in local property taxes to bolster public schools will complicate upcoming state budget negotiations. In his $87.4 billion budget proposal for 2018-2019, Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday called for a $770 million increase in funding for Florida’s kindergarten through 12th-grade education system. But nearly $7 out of every $10 of […]

Mitch PerryNovember 15, 2017

With the holiday season approaching, Gov. Rick Scott offered congressional leaders his federal wish list of projects that he says will help Florida cleanup after Hurricane Irma barreled through two months ago. In a letter penned to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Scott on Wednesday called on Congress to pass […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Shawn Foster is having a good year

Visit Florida reports record nine-month tourism numbers

Last legislative committee week to start December 4

Darryl Paulson: Republican prospects in the 2018 Florida congressional campaign

Tensions high among blacks, police as Seminole Heights manhunt continues

Jacksonville Bold for 11.17.17 — Time for reflection

Hurricane committee to start ‘policy phase’

Ben Diamond endorses Gwen Graham for Governor

Property taxes likely to spur school funding fight

Rick Scott makes big dollar request from Congress to recover from Irma