Associated Press, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 27, 2017

Former President George W. Bush said Monday “we all need answers” on the extent of contact between President Donald Trump‘s team and the Russian government, and didn’t rule out the idea that a special prosecutor could be necessary to lead an investigation. The Republican also defended the media’s role in keeping world leaders in check, […]

Associated PressFebruary 27, 2017

Sen. Marco Rubio said he has not held an open forum with constituents because the room would be packed by “liberal activists” and wouldn’t be productive. Rubio told CBS4-Miami interviewer Jim DeFede on Sunday that liberal groups would organize hundreds of protestors, show up early and take all the seats. They would then ask all […]

Associated PressFebruary 26, 2017

The father of a Navy SEAL killed during an anti-terrorism raid in Yemen is demanding an investigation into its planning and criticized the Trump administration for its timing. Bill Owens told The Miami Herald in a story published Sunday that he refused to meet with President Donald Trump when both came to Dover Air Force […]

Associated PressFebruary 25, 2017

FBI Director James Comey is again in a familiar spot these days – the middle of political tumult. As a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, he clashed with the White House over a secret surveillance program. Years later as head of the FBI, he incurred the ire of Hillary Clinton […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2017

News organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and POLITICO were blocked from joining an informal, on the record White House press briefing Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the gaggle following the move by White House press secretary Sean Spicer. “The AP believes the public should have […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2017

Seven of the top 10 beaches ranked as the best in the nation by a travel-ratings website are in Florida. TripAdvisor said Wednesday in a news release that the sand at Siesta Key outside Sarasota was the best-rated beach in the nation. Other Gulf Coast beaches weren’t far behind. St. Pete Beach was number 3, […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2017

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Florida health officials who oversee the medical marijuana program have started processing identification card applications for patients and caregivers. The cards, which are issued through the Office of Compassionate Use, are part of regulations passed by the Florida Legislature last year. Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambinieri says the rule became effective Feb. 19. To […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is joining with the nation’s governors who are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Scott is leaving Thursday for Washington D.C. where he will attend events connected to the winter meetings of the National Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association. Reports indicate Scott is the favorite to become Vice […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Attorney General Jeff Sessions signaled Thursday his strong support for the federal government’s continued use of private prisons, reversing an Obama administration directive to phase out their use. Stocks of major private prison companies rose at the news. Sessions issued a memo replacing one issued last August by Sally Yates, the deputy attorney general at […]

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 Press

George W. Bush on Donald Trump and Russia: ‘We all need answers’

Marco Rubio says holding a town hall wouldn’t be productive

Father of dead Navy SEAL refused to meet Donald Trump at ceremony

James Comey in middle of political fray over Donald Trump and Russians

White House bars major news outlets from gaggle

TripAdvisor: Florida has 7 of top 10 beaches

State begins process of issuing medical marijuana ID cards

Rick Scott joining with other governors in D.C.

Jeff Sessions: U.S. to continue use of privately run prisons

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