Drew Wilson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 6, 2018

It took more than $82 million in campaign funds for Republican Rick Scott to boot Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson from office, and more than three quarters of that cash came from two-term Governor’s personal wealth. The post-election finance report for Scott’s principal campaign committee, Rick Scott for Florida, shows the former HCA exec plunked […]

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation board recently approved the 2019 rate schedule for the health plans they offer, opting to stay the course with the current premium schedule. That means prices will remain the same for the 2019 plan year —which began Oct. 1 for the subsidized plan and will begin on Jan. 1 for […]

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

A newly minted state Senator and a quartet of fresh state Representatives opened campaign accounts for the 2020 election cycle this week. Sarasota Republican Joe Gruters, who took over for U.S. Rep.-elect Greg Steube in Senate District 23, filed his paperwork Tuesday. Gruters was a member of the House for a term before U.S. Rep. […]

Drew WilsonDecember 5, 2018

Incoming Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried announced her inaugural committee Wednesday, with political consultant Ben Pollara and Jenni Shaffren — Fried’s sister — tapped to serve as committee co-chairs. Pollara was a senior adviser to Fried’s campaign and served as the campaign manager of the successful 2016 ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the Sunshine […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2018

The Florida Coalition of School Board Members, a conservative-leaning org that champions fiscally responsible school board members, announced Monday that it has brought on a new president and director. FCSBM said Tina Descovich, the current chair of the Brevard County School Board, will take over for exiting president Bridget Ziegler. “I look forward to leading […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2018

Airbnb filed suit against Palm Beach County Monday over the county tax collector’s charge that the vacation rental company should be policing listings on its platform for users who aren’t paying bed taxes. The lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach Circuit Court, centers around a rule that requires users who list homes on the site, also […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2018

The longest-running annual conference focused on Northwest Florida economic development was put on the backburner when Hurricane Michael tore through the Panhandle, but Gulf Power says it’s coming back in mid-April. The 22nd Economic Symposium was originally scheduled to commence on Oct.10, the same day the Category 4 storm made landfall near Mexico Beach. Michael […]

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2018

Lauren’s Kids, the child sexual abuse prevention organization founded by Democratic Sen. Lauren Book, took home two Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards for awareness videos the organization produced. The videos earning accolades: “Walk in My Shoes: Prevention through Education” and “Child Sexual Abuse Prevention — Lauren’s Kids.” The Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards ceremony was held Dec. 1 at the […]

Drew WilsonNovember 30, 2018

Take Stock in Children is expanding from Florida’s middle and high schools to college campuses. The group, which provides low-income, at-risk youth a chance to escape the cycle of poverty through education, mentorship and college scholarships announced this week that it’s launching a new program: “Take Stock in College.” Take Stock in Children data shows […]

Drew WilsonNovember 29, 2018

Citing Florida statute put in place by a law passed two years ago, U.S. Sugar said Thursday that the land acquisition option agreement between the company and the state can now be terminated. The bill, SB 10, mandated the construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce discharges to the St. Lucie and […]

Drew Wilson
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Rick Scott spent $63 million punching his ticket to Washington

KidCare premiums to hold steady for 2019 plan year

More freshman lawmakers file for re-election

Ben Pollara, Jenni Shaffren to chair Nikki Fried inaugural committee

Personnel note: School Board group announces new president, director

Bed tax brawl: Airbnb sues Palm Beach County

Gulf Power announces new dates for Economic Symposium

Lauren’s Kids awareness vids snag two Emmy Awards

Take Stock in Children launches program to boost college completion rates

U.S. Sugar says congressional action ends failed land pursuit