Danny McAuliffe, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 5, 2018

Unprecedented highs and harrowing lows mark the past year at Florida State University. But the latter won’t weigh down the school, according to president John Thrasher, who spoke of a bittersweet 2018 and the time-tested resiliency of the institution during his fourth State of the University address on Wednesday. The former state Senator and House Speaker […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 4, 2018

Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart will retire on the same day Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis takes office in January, meaning former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran is one step closer to overseeing the state’s massive education operation. Stewart, who has served under her current role since 2013, had originally planned to helm the education department for […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 4, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott will not resign from office before his term ends, a spokesman announced on Tuesday. “When Governor Scott was elected Governor of Florida, he promised to fight for Florida families every single day of his term,” said John Tupps, Scott’s Communications Director. “Governor Scott will remain Governor until January 8th, 2019.” The announcement extinguishes speculation that […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 3, 2018

Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis and future Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez are enlisting more than 40 policy experts, officeholders and private-industry leaders to help the incoming administration make sound agricultural and environmental policy decisions. DeSantis’ transition team unveiled its Advisory Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture on Monday. Leading the committee is Republican U.S. Rep. Brian […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 29, 2018

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Wes Maul will leave his post as Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis takes office in January. Maul informed colleagues at the state agency of his decision on Thursday. DeSantis will appoint the next Director. The movement was first reported by POLITICO Florida. “I will soon depart secure in the knowledge that traditional attitudes have […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 29, 2018

State Sen. Lauren Book on Thursday filed a measure that would shift the state’s concealed firearms licensing program to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Currently, the licensing program is overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, helmed by outgoing Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Book, a Plantation Democrat, said she filed the bill (SB […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 29, 2018

The Florida Cabinet will be asked to approve the transfer of approximately 360 acres of land to Jackson County during its final meeting on Tuesday. The land includes and surrounds parcels of the now-shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement closed Dozier in 2011 after confirming […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 29, 2018

Reported crimes and arrests are down and Florida has held fewer people behind bars in recent years. But forecasters working for the state aren’t expecting prison populations to continue to wane. Economists for the Criminal Justice Estimating Conference cited an uptick in drug crimes during the past four months as one cause for keeping the […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

Among the crop of early bills filed ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session is a push to prevent Floridians from talking and texting while operating a vehicle. State Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, earlier this month filed legislation (SB 76) that would ban the use of handheld communications while driving. In the House, Boca […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 27, 2018

There may be new legislative leadership, but old lawmaking sticking points are shaping up to remain unchanged. The Florida League of Cities, for example, recently unveiled its legislative priorities for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session. Perennial issues line the group’s platform. But most fit under the ideological umbrella of Home Rule, the idea that local […]

Danny McAuliffe

‘Tragedy and triumph’: FSU president John Thrasher reflects on 2018

Richard Corcoran poised to be next Education Commissioner with Pam Stewart departure

Carlos Lopez-Cantera won’t be next governor after all

Brian Mast, Joe Negron will have Ron DeSantis’ attention on environment

State’s emergency chief will resign in January

Lauren Book files bill to shift concealed carry oversight to FDLE

Cabinet poised to approve Dozier land transfer

Economists: Drug crimes could keep Florida prisons full

Fight to stop behind-the-wheel cellphone use will look different in 2019

Familiar issues top Florida League of Cities’ legislative priorities