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

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 PressFebruary 23, 2017

Two people protesting the 515-mile-long Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline wedged themselves into a section of the pipe in north Florida. The Ocala Star-Banner reports that the man and woman were eventually removed Wednesday afternoon from the 3-foot-wide pipe after Marion County Fire Rescue responded. One of the protesters, Carrie Ford, sent a video while […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

Florida could spend up to $100,000 in the skirmish between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and the administration of Gov. Rick Scott. Corcoran last week asked a court to block a contract the Florida Lottery approved last fall. The contract with IGT Global Solutions is worth more than $700 million. Corcoran’s lawsuit maintains lottery officials broke […]

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 […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

For the past eight years, thousands of conservative activists have descended on Washington each spring with dreams of putting a Republican in the White House. This year, they’re learning reality can be complicated. With Donald Trump‘s presidential victory, the future of the conservative movement has become entwined with an unconventional New York businessman better known […]

Associated PressFebruary 22, 2017

The National Park Service is trying to figure out who unfurled a giant banner at the Statue of Liberty saying “Refugees Welcome.” Park Service spokesman Jerry Willis says the 3-by-20-foot banner was hung from the public observation deck at the top of the statue’s pedestal Tuesday afternoon. The banner was taken down more than an […]

Associated PressFebruary 21, 2017

President Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced recent threats against Jewish community centers as “horrible” and “painful.” He said they are a “very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.” Trump made the remarks after touring the newly opened National Museum of African American History […]

Associated PressFebruary 21, 2017

As President Donald Trump begins his second month in office, his team is trying to move past the crush of controversies that overtook his first month and make progress on health care and tax overhauls long sought by Republicans. Both issues thrust Trump, a real estate executive who has never held elected office, into the […]

Associated PressFebruary 21, 2017

Florida Republicans are more determined than ever to pass bills expanding gun rights in the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub and Fort Lauderdale airport shootings. They say law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to take their weapons to airports, government meetings and state universities, and would be in a better position to protect themselves […]

Associated Press

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

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

2 protesters removed from section of Sabal Trail pipeline

Lottery fight between Gov. Scott and House could be costly

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

Conservatives welcome Donald Trump with delight – and wariness

‘Refugees Welcome’ banner unfurled at Statue of Liberty

Donald Trump denounces ‘horrible’ threats against Jewish centers

Donald Trump Month Two: Talks on health care and on tax overhaul

Florida looks to expand gun rights in wake of Pulse shooting