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

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2016

The Florida Council for Safe Communities said Thursday it will back legislation to increase penalties for suspected drunken drivers who decline sobriety tests. “Our mission is to make Florida the safest state in the country, especially for our most vulnerable citizens,” council Chairman John Giotis said. “That’s why we enthusiastically support House Bill 555, Rep. Scott Plakon’s tough drunk […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

Republican candidate Brian Hodgers gave another $200,000 to his House District 52 campaign in December, bringing his on-hand total to $332,619 after 10 months in the race. “Our community is worth investing in, and I believe I’m the right person to provide the strong, conservative leadership we need in Tallahassee,” Hodgers said when announcing the December haul. “I […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

A Volusia County school teacher has filed to run for House District 27 against current Republican Rep. David Santiago, who is eyeing a run for Congress. Republican Zenaida Denizac was elected to two terms on the Deltona City Commission, and served as the city’s vice mayor before an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2015. She lost that election to […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2016

The chairwoman of the Florida Commission on Offender Review said Thursday that she will run to be the next Leon County Supervisor of Elections. Tena Pate joins supervisor of elections employee Mark Earley and termed-out Democratic Rep. Alan Williams in the race to take over for current Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho. In her announcement, Pate said she […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 6, 2016

The Sunshine State has enough money in its rainy day fund to keep the state government running for 45 days, according to a report released by the Pew Charitable Trusts Monday. Florida’s reserves would cover more days than 36 other states, and beats the 50 state median by more than two weeks. The numbers give […]

Drew WilsonDecember 22, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that the Sunshine State’s economic output grew faster than all other large states and even outpaced the national average in the second quarter of 2015. “Florida’s GDP outpacing all other large states, and the nation as a whole, is another indicator that our economy continues to grow,” Scott said in […]

Drew WilsonDecember 22, 2015

With the holiday shopping season entering its twilight hours, retailers have turned their attention to preventing fraudulent returns. The Florida Retail Federation expects total annual returns to hit $260.5 billion this year, including $9.1 billion worth of fraudulent returns. Holiday returns alone are estimated to account for $2.2 billion in fraudulent returns, the group said, […]

Drew WilsonDecember 21, 2015

Much like Santa Claus, Americans for Prosperity Florida will be checking its “naughty list” this Christmas. And if the conservative group gets its way, lawmakers shouldn’t expect too much quiet time during their break before the Legislature convenes next month. “Typically, lawmakers think they can escape the pressures of calls from their constituents to do […]

Drew WilsonDecember 21, 2015

All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg said Monday that it had received more than $200,000 in donations in 2015 from one of the area’s largest companies. The donations from Jabil Circuit, based in St. Petersburg, will help the hospital’s recently established Institute for Brain Protection Sciences, which includes programs in neurology, neurosurgery, epileptology, neuro-oncology, neuroradiology, […]

Drew WilsonDecember 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced that drugstore chain CVS will add 500 jobs in Orlando and build a new 112,000-square-foot facility in Orange County. “We are excited to announce the creation of 500 new jobs for families in Orlando,” Scott said in a news release. “With hundreds of locations already in Florida, CVS’ decision to expand […]

Drew Wilson

Florida Council for Safe Communities backs stronger DUI penalties, opposes relaxed cannabis and alcohol bills

Brian Hodgers tops $330K in race for HD 52

Former Deltona commissioner enters race in David Santiago’s HD 27

Tena Pate jumps into Leon County Supervisor of Elections race

Florida has 45-day cash reserves in “rainy day fund,” new report shows

Florida GDP outpacing all other large U.S. states, Rick Scott says

Florida retailers expect fraud to rise in 2015

Americans for Prosperity goes digital to keep lawmakers in check during holidays

Jabil Circuit gives over $200K for All Children’s brain protection program

CVS to add 500 jobs in Orlando, build new Orange County facility