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

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

The Mayernick Group received an estimated $720,000 in lobbying pay during the last three months of the year according to newly filed compensation reports. The boutique firm’s 59 principals in the Legislature paid $580,000 in the fourth quarter, while Mayernick’s 43 executive branch clients contributed $140,000 to the Q4 haul. Overall, the firm brought in […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Louis Betz and Travis Mitchell received $130,000 in lobbying compensation between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 to finish out the year with an estimated $520,000 in earnings. Louis Betz & Associates had 25 legislative branch clients and 11 executive branch clients last quarter. Top principals included Waste Management Inc of Florida, which paid $30,000 for […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 20, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly avoided killing a campus “free speech” bill, opting to instead temporarily postpone it after the roll had been called despite objections the move was not procedurally sound. SB 1234, sponsored by Ocala Republican Sen. Dennis Baxley, would erase dedicated “free speech zones” on college campuses, instead opening entire campuses to […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 19, 2018

Republican Jeremy Bailie announced Monday that Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni endorsed his bid to replace exiting Rep. Kathleen Peters in House District 69. “Jeremy Bailie has impressed me with his knowledge of the issues, devotion to our community, and willingness to work hard for our community. I know what it takes to be an […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 16, 2018

Democrat Chris Hunter is holding a fundraiser in Tampa next week for his campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Florida’s 12th Congressional District. The Feb. 23 event is slated to run from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at The Tampa Club, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd, and the host committee includes Joseph Swanson, Erin […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 14, 2018

Democrat Alex Perkins filed paperwork Monday to run for House District 41, the Polk County-based seat currently held by Winter Haven Republican Rep. Sam Killebrew. Perkins, who lives in Davenport, joins Winter Haven Democrat Carmelo Garcia in the primary race for the seat. The pair are on a level playing field as far as fundraising […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A bill that would change the rules for franchise agreements was temporarily postponed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. SB 1076, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube, would give franchise owners more rights when it comes to selling their business or leaving it to an heir, and would also give Florida owners home field […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

State Rep. Matt Caldwell touted another fundraising win in the race to take over for termed out Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the fall. The Lehigh Acres Republican brought in a combined $106,100 last month – $50,100 for his campaign and another $56,000 for his political committee, Friends of Matt Caldwell. The numbers outshined his […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A National Retail Federation survey estimates consumers will spend $19.6 billion pampering their loved ones with Valentine’s Day gifts this year, putting it just a hair behind the all-time record of $19.7 billion set in 2016. The 2018 forecast estimates 55 percent of Americans will shell out some cash on gifts this year, with the […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

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A newly formed political committee sent out an email Monday poking at Democrat Javier Fernandez – or “Javi Lobby” – for working as a lobbyist. The People for a Progressive Florida message, titled “I am a lobbyist” is written as if the House District 114 candidate was behind the keyboard. “The subject line says it […]

Drew Wilson

The Mayernick Group received $3.3M in lobbying pay last year

Louis Betz & Associates earns $520K in 2017

Senate panel postpones ‘campus free speech’ bill

John Morroni is backing Jeremy Bailie in HD 69 race

Chris Hunter fundraiser set for Feb. 23 in Tampa

Second Democrat challenges Sam Killebrew in HD 41

Franchise bill halted in second committee

Matt Caldwell tops Ag Commissioner field in January fundraising

Retailers expect to get plenty of love on Valentine’s Day

Email Insights: Javi ‘Lobby’ Fernandez