Keith Morelli, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Keith MorelliJuly 8, 2016

After a record-setting Wednesday, in which 11 people came down with the Zika virus in Florida, the past two days have been quiet, according to the Florida Department of Health, which issues daily updates on the virus which can cause devastating birth defects. Wednesday, the department reported 11 cases of Zika in the state, the […]

Keith MorelliJuly 8, 2016

U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan this week added his voice to the chorus urging immediate passage of a $1.1 billion bill to fight the spread of the dreaded Zika virus, and the Sarasota Republican blamed Senate Democrats for the log jam. Democrats this week pointed fingers at the Republicans, saying partisan politics was the reason the […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

Since its introduction in January 2015, the Advancing Care for Exceptional (ACE) Kids Act has garnered growing bipartisan support and seems to be heading for success as lawmakers convened a legislative hearing this week to discuss the plan that would ease the suffering of children with complex medical problems and the problems faced by their […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

With 11 new cases of Zika reported in Florida Wednesday — the most yet in a single day — leading congressional Democrats renewed a plea to resurrect a bipartisan $1.1 billion spending bill to fight what they call a silent epidemic that is gaining a foothold in the United States. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson fired off a letter to Senate Majority […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

As the number of Zika cases in Florida mounts — 11 new cases were reported Wednesday, including one in Hillsborough County — state health officials have launched a campaign to educate children on the dangers of the virus and enlist their help in stemming the spread of disease-toting mosquitoes. The Florida Department of Health’s “Spill the […]

Keith MorelliJuly 7, 2016

Two years after first opening its doors and with a current student enrollment blossoming to over 1,200, Florida Polytechnic University is about to embark on its most ambitious year since it began under political turmoil nearly a half-decade ago. The Lakeland facility that focuses on engineering and technology with a goal of having 20 percent […]

Keith MorelliJuly 6, 2016

An administrative law judge in Tallahassee today began hearing testimony in a petition by a Gainesville nursery that was bypassed in April’s medical marijuana grower lottery when the state awarded the coveted contract to a competitor. The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Compassionate Use chose a handful of agribusinesses to grow, process and dispense […]

Keith MorelliJuly 5, 2016

As the 2016 election season swings into fifth gear with politicians and committees filling treasuries with contributions, this was the total collected in June by the leading special interest group opposed to legalizing medical marijuana in Florida: $00.00. After tallying more than half-million dollars in May, all but $1,000 from a single donor, Mel Sembler, […]

Keith MorelliJune 30, 2016

The Obama administration’s goal to eliminate homelessness among military veterans by the end of the year could be a difficult mission as tens of thousands of vets remain on the streets, including perhaps 3,000 in Florida. A point-in-time count in February around the Tampa Bay area counted nearly 400 veterans living on the streets of […]

Keith MorelliJune 30, 2016

A multi-agency partnership, along with the help of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, secured a $3.8 million grant from the federal government to develop training in the University Area of North Tampa, providing education specifically for technology-related jobs. This week Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez announced the award of 39 TechHire Partnership Grants across […]

Keith Morelli
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

After a record set Wednesday, Zika takes a holiday

Vern Buchanan urges Senate to pass Zika bill, blames Democrats

Kathy Castor confident ACE Kids Act will pass with bipartisan support

Congressional Dems renew plea to get Zika funding passed

Latest in Zika battle: Enlist kids to ‘Spill the Water’

Florida Polytechnic University gears up for accreditation push

Hearing begins today for Gainesville nursery jilted in medical marijuana grower selection

Anti-Amendment 2 groups has quiet fundraising month

Ending homelessness among veterans by the end of the year: Difficult but not impossible

University Area gets $3.8 million federal grant to foster tech training