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

Drew WilsonNovember 26, 2015

The days after Thanksgiving have become the top shopping weekend of the year for many retailers and the National Retail Federation expects more than 135 million Americans will shop retail deals over the holiday weekend. While Black Friday deals may be enticing, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and the Department of Financial Services say […]

Drew WilsonNovember 25, 2015

Nearly 1,400 Florida children in foster care will spend Thanksgiving with their families and loved ones as part of a Department of Children and Families initiative. The “Home for the Holidays” initiative, announced by DCF Secretary Mike Carroll Wednesday, will reunite 1,025 children with siblings, parents and extended family for Thanksgiving. “We often take for […]

Drew WilsonNovember 19, 2015

The James Madison Institute released its 2015 Leaders Fellowship list Wednesday, featuring more than 100 under-40 leaders from across the Sunshine State. The JMI Leaders Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to network young leaders and educate them on key public policy issues and the impact they have on the state’s economic development. The Tallahassee-based […]

Drew WilsonNovember 19, 2015

A Senate committee voted Thursday to introduce a bill that would improve state programs for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Proposed by the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, SB 7034 renames the Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program to the “Early Steps Program” and requires the Florida Department of Health to […]

Drew WilsonNovember 19, 2015

Bills that would require gas stations to protect customers from credit card skimmers and increase criminal penalties for data thieves were filed Thursday. The bills were announced by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose department is responsible for inspecting pumps at the state’s 8,000 gas stations. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspectors have found 150 […]

Drew WilsonNovember 18, 2015

Nine Florida Republicans are on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “radar,” which could lead to substantial campaign support. The NRCC put out a list of 32 congressional candidates Wednesday that are in the running for support through the group’s “Young Guns” program, which helps Republican candidates challenge incumbent Democrats or get the edge running for […]

Drew WilsonNovember 18, 2015

The National Press Foundation said Wednesday that its newly minted Innovation in Journalism Award goes to the Tampa Bay Times. The Times earned the award for its “Failure Factories” series, first published in early August, which investigated how the Pinellas County School Board turned five schools in the county’s black areas into among the worst […]

Drew WilsonNovember 18, 2015

An Emmy-winning TV professional has filed to run for House District 47 as a Democrat, setting up a three-way primary for a chance to face off against incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Miller for the Orange County seat. Beth Tuura announced her run Wednesday and said she chose to enter the race because when she looks at the Florida […]

Drew WilsonNovember 18, 2015

A new camp in Polk County aims to give Florida’s disabled veterans a private space to enjoy the outdoors and the company of their fellow veterans. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced the opening of Camp Prairie Wednesday as a part of his department’s “Operation Outdoor Freedom” campaign, which Putnam launched after taking office in 2011. […]

Drew WilsonNovember 16, 2015

Jones Walker represented 24 clients last quarter and brought in an estimated $287,000 in fees between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to its recently filed lobbying compensation report. A large amount of that money came to the Tallahassee-based group from clients in the gaming industry. Bally, which manufactures slot machines, paid $30,000 in fees last quarter, […]

Drew Wilson
FEMA. Image via AP.

CFO Jeff Atwater reminds consumers to plan before braving Black Friday crowds

DCF program sends Florida foster children “Home for the Holidays”

James Madison Institute announces top under-40 Florida leaders for 2015

Senate panel approves changes to Florida “Early Steps Program”

Bills would protect Florida consumers from credit card skimmers, data thieves

9 Florida Republicans recognized as NRCC “Young Guns”

Tampa Bay Times receives Innovation in Journalism Award for “Failure Factories” series

TV’s Beth Tuura announces 2016 Democratic run for HD 47

Adam Putnam launches Camp Prairie, outdoor activities for disabled veterans

Based on strength of gaming clients, Jones Walker nets north of $250K in lobbying compensation