Scott Powers, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 30, 2018

Democratic state Sen. Linda Stewart has refiled a bill to create a license plate honoring Orlando’s united spirit and efforts for a memorial after the 2016 Pulse massacre, and said she’s also seeking a $1 million state grant to help support the planned Pulse memorial in Orlando. Stewart, whose Orlando district includes Pulse nightclub, the […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2018

Two former officials in the office of Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh have filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against him alleging that he manipulated finances, reports and audits to cover up unethical and illegal activities, led a hostile work environment that included sexual and racial harassment, and then terminated them in retaliation for earlier, […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2018

Brightline’s proposal to build and operate a higher-speed passenger train from Tampa to Orlando includes provisions for three possible stops in the Orlando area, including one that could serve Walt Disney World and one that could resolve Orlando’s frustrated desire to connect SunRail to the airport. The new Brightline proposal, submitted Nov. 7 and accepted Wednesday […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2018

The Florida Department of Transportation decided Wednesday to move forward with negotiations to lease state-owned land in a corridor between Orlando and Tampa for a higher-speed passenger train rail to be developed and operated by Brightline. The private South Florida company that is becoming Virgin Trains USA had submitted the only proposal to the state […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2018

Insurgent centrist Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives including U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto from Central Florida have reached a deal with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Wednesday for rules reforms that would lead the party rebels to support her for House Speaker. The deal is lesser in sweep and commitment than the […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2018

Five days ago, a White House report gave a dire warning: Climate change would cost America billions of dollars annually. On Wednesday, three Florida U.S. House members, two Democrats and a Republican, introduced a bill to set up a growing carbon tax that aims to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Led by Democratic U.S. Rep. […]

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

The centrist Democratic caucus Blue Dog Coalition has elected Winter Park’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy as their leader for the 116th Congress. Murphy, entering her second term in Congress, was unanimously elected Tuesday evening to serve as c0-chair for administration, the most senior leadership position administration for the 24-member coalition. Murphy, who is Vietnamese-American, […]

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

Characterizing Virgin Trains USA’s agreement offering safety upgrades while ending some longtime opposition as a good first step, more is needed, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield said Tuesday. Mayfield intends to keep the pressure on the private railroad company seeking to extend passenger train service. Over the weekend, Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline (and All Aboard […]

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

They’re not exactly MAGA hats, at least not yet, but who knows? Newly elected Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani is chartering Big Kids territory for her 2020 re-election campaign, starting early with an online store selling Anna Eskamani ball caps, T-shirts, mugs, clocks, and other campaign souvenirs to raise a little money and put her name […]

Scott PowersNovember 26, 2018

Outside groups spent more than $37 million on U.S. House races in Florida’s general election, putting more than $1 million in seven different contests, with Republicans winning four and Democrats, three. The big money, about half of all the outside cash that rained into Florida’s general election for U.S. House contests, poured into Florida’s 26th […]

Scott Powers

Linda Stewart refiles Orlando United plate bill, seeks money for Pulse memorial

Whistleblower lawsuit charges corruption, hostile workplace by Orange County Property Appraiser

Brightline Tampa-Orlando proposal discusses Disney, SunRail stops

Florida opens lease negotiations with Brightline for Orlando-Tampa train corridor

Deal brings Nancy Pelosi support from Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto, other ‘Problem Solvers’

Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist, Francis Rooney introduce climate change carbon bill

Stephanie Murphy elected national leader of Democratic Blue Dogs

Debbie Mayfield intends to keep pressure on Virgin Trains USA

Anna Eskamani turns to swag sales to energize re-election campaign

Outside spending topped $37M in U.S. House races, aiding Debbie Mucarsel-Powell most