Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 24, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott’s political committee, Let’s Get to Work, brought in $70,100 in contributions during the first two weeks of the month. The contributions came in through just five contributions, with $50,000 of that money coming from the political committee of prison contractor the GEO Group, which operates many detention centers across the country, including […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 20, 2016

Florida’s unemployment rate continues to be on the decline, according to April jobs numbers released Friday. Gov. Rick Scott announced the state’s unemployment numbers during a stop in Orlando on Friday morning. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in April, down slightly from 4.9 percent one month earlier. “Florida job creators are adding new […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 20, 2016

Another month has gone by, and with it comes another press release from Gov. Rick Scott extolling job creation in Jacksonville. “I am proud to announce today that Jacksonville added nearly 22,000 new jobs over the year. Every new job makes an important difference in someone’s life, and that is why we will continue to work […]

Mitch PerryMay 20, 2016

Condolences this morning to St. Pete Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, who lost her husband, Tampa Bay Times outdoor reporter Terry Tomalin. Condolences to all who knew and loved him. Moving on, the documentary “Weiner” is set to open today in some markets around the country (not Tampa, though wouldn’t it be great if the Tampa […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2016

The ACLU of Florida wants state officials to know that protecting transgender students is not only required by law, but “is the right thing to do.” In a letter penned to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, the civil liberties group writes that “we hope that you will recognize the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 19, 2016

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Cissy Proctor is here to help. That’s how the recently appointed head of the Department of Economic Opportunity views her job. In the months since she took over the helm, she has traveled the state trying to understand Florida’s needs, talking to business owners, local business organizations and regional workforce agencies along the way. “We’re […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott‘s two-day summit to link education to jobs set for Orlando next week will feature many Florida college, business and Republican leaders as well as the football coaches from the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Miami. The Degrees to Jobs Summit, set for May 25 and 26 at […]

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

The Florida Department of Citrus could get a pared-down budget that will result in staff cuts. The Citrus Commission, which oversees the department, meets Wednesday to consider the $20.6 million spending plan. If approved, the department’s full-time employees would be reduced to 23 from 39. Commissioners won’t vote on that budget, but will offer “feedback,” department spokeswoman Shelley Rossetter said. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

She’s official. Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced he appointed Dr. Celeste Philip as the state’s Surgeon General and head of the Florida Department of Health. The longtime Department of Health official has served as the Acting Surgeon General since March. “Since becoming Acting Surgeon General this spring, Dr. Philip has met with community health […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 16, 2016

Millions of people traveled to the Sunshine State in the first three months of 2016, according to first-quarter tourism estimates released Monday. Approximately 29.8 million tourists came to Florida in the first quarter. That’s up 6.6 percent from the same three-month period in 2015. “I’m thrilled that Florida continues to break records in the amount […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Let’s Get to Work adds another $70K so far in May

Florida unemployment rate drops to 4.8 percent in April

Jax adds 21,600 new jobs in the last year; unemployment is just 4.3%

Mitch Perry Report for 5.20.16 — Hacked off

ACLU urges Florida officials not to defy feds regarding transgender students

Jobs Boss: Cissy Proctor talks Florida’s future

Rick Scott’s Degrees To Jobs Summit to feature football coaches

Citrus Department facing smaller budget, staff cuts

Rick Scott appoints Celeste Philip as Florida’s surgeon general

Nearly 30 million people visited Florida in first three months of 2016