Michael Moline, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 29, 2018

The Public Service Commission agreed Wednesday to consider allowing three major electric utilities to boost the “economic development” fees they’re allowed to collect from customers by millions of dollars. The change would allow Florida Power & Light Co. to collect as much as $26.7 million annually by 2023. Tampa Electric Co. would collect $4.9 million, and […]

Michael MolineAugust 28, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court took jurisdiction Tuesday over a challenge to the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ right proposal known as Amendment 6 and set oral argument for Sept. 5. The move came a day after a Tallahassee judge ordered the amendment off the November ballot because it “does not meet ‘truth in packaging’ requirements for submission […]

Michael MolineAugust 28, 2018

Steve Vancore learned the political operative game at the knee of legendary practitioner Marian Johnson some 30 years ago, at Florida Lawyers Action Group. Today, he’s one of Florida’s leading political consultants and pollsters, operating as a partner in VancoreJones Communications, and teaches media application at Florida State University. He even made the Influence 100 list of […]

Michael MolineAugust 28, 2018

For a glimpse into the trends animating Tuesday’s primary elections, Florida Politics turned to the grande dame of the state’s political class — Marian Johnson, senior vice president for political operations for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Johnson has been politically engaged since Barry Goldwater’s 1964 run for President and now presides over one of […]

Michael MolineAugust 28, 2018

The ratings agency that recommends workers’ compensation insurance premium levels in Florida on Monday recommended a 13.4 percent reduction, to take effect Jan. 1. A summary released by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, cites “continued significant improvement in loss experience.” “This is consistent with prior experience filings in Florida and in line […]

Michael MolineAugust 27, 2018

A Tallahassee judge on Monday ordered the Constitution Revision Commission’s proposed Amendment 6, which would guarantee crime victims’ rights and raise judges’ retirement age, stripped from the November ballot. “Because the title and summary do not meet the requirements of Florida laws … in fully, fairly, and accurately telling the voters the chief purpose of […]

Michael MolineAugust 25, 2018

A Tallahassee judge made clear Friday that she’ll hold the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) to a high standard for straightforwardness when deciding whether its victims-rights proposal deserves a place on the fall ballot. CRC members understand their responsibility to give voters “full, accurate information, letting the voters know if the Constitution is being significantly affected […]

Michael MolineAugust 23, 2018

An appeals court Thursday agreed with the disqualification of a Madison County School Board candidate who paid his qualifying fee with a cashier’s check, instead of one drawn against his campaign account, as required by Florida law. The 1st District Court of Appeal, in an opinion by Judge James Wolf, wrote that the requirement was clear […]

Michael MolineAugust 22, 2018

Chris-Gardner-left-chairman-of-the-Citizens-board-and-president-Barry-Gilway.jpg

Chris Gardner is out as chairman of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s state-sponsored insurer of last resort, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Wednesday. Board member Gary Aubuchon will serve as interim chairman until Patronis names a permanent replacement. In a statement, Patronis referred to Gardner’s “resignation,” although Gardner had made it known he was interested in remaining […]

Michael MolineAugust 20, 2018

Freshly fired as a Wells Fargo bank customer for taking campaign cash from the medical marijuana industry, Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried on Monday envisioned a state-sponsored bank to work with cannabis providers. During a news conference outside the Capitol office she would occupy if she secures the Democratic nomination and wins in November, Fried supported […]

Michael Moline

PSC open to lifting cap on utilities’ ‘economic development’ charges

Supreme Court sets arguments in Amendment 6 appeal

Steve Vancore: Finding the ‘blue wave’ elusive in Florida’s primary

Florida Chamber’s Marian Johnson on Trump and ‘blue waves’ on Primary Day

NCCI recommends significant drop in workers’ compensation premiums

Judge strikes victims’ rights amendment — Marsy’s Law — from ballot

Judge to decide whether Amendment 6 goes on ballot

Case closed: School Board candidate disqualified for using wrong check

Chris Gardner out as chair of Citizens Insurance board

Nikki Fried proposes new bank to serve medical cannabis providers