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

Scott PowersNovember 17, 2017

U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando denounced reported conduct by Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel Friday though stopped short of describing it as sexual harassment. The former Orlando chief of police said she told Bittel that this morning. “As a former law enforcement officer and a member of Congress, sexual harassment is an issue […]

Scott PowersNovember 17, 2017

In the wake of reports that Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel created a hostile work environment for woman, all four leading Democratic candidates for governor — Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, and Winter Park businessman Chris King — swiftly called for his resignation Friday. Gillum […]

Scott PowersNovember 17, 2017

The U.S. Senate’s $692.2 billion defense budget includes includes provisions that would allow far more frequent private rocket launches from Cape Canaveral and other provisions that should help Florida, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson declared. The bill, approved by the U.S. Senate late Thursday and by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, includes provisions to […]

Scott PowersNovember 16, 2017

All Aboard Florida’s efforts to clear a needed environmental permit from challenges won another victory Thursday as the South Florida Water Management District rejected final challenges brought by the private passenger train developer’s critics along the Treasure Coast. The water district denied 17 exceptions filed by Martin and St. Lucie counties and entered a final […]

Scott PowersNovember 16, 2017

Don’t count Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs out quite yet, she told the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday, pledging to push ahead in her last year on long-term planning for the district and support for Orange County Convention Center expansion. Jacobs, whose term limits expire at the end of 2018, was honored […]

Scott PowersNovember 16, 2017

A new parking garage with 1,600 spaces opens just after midnight early Friday morning at the Orlando International Airport, offering immediate relief for the airport’s parking crunch but also a glimpse of the future authorities hope will glisten starting in 2020. The south parking garage and an automated people mover tram connecting it with the […]

Scott PowersNovember 16, 2017

Orlando celebrity attorney John Morgan is always upfront about things he loves and hates, and the “loves” column includes the tease, while the “hates” column includes long campaigns, so it’s no surprise that Morgan’s been teasing a Democratic run for governor for a year, while making no commitments. Watchers have been wondering as Morgan has […]

Scott PowersNovember 15, 2017

Calling child protective investigators “absolute heroes” who are overworked and under-appreciated, the head of Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) pitched a House of Representatives committee for money to hire more. DCF Secretary Mike Carroll told the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Wednesday that his department struggles to keep enough investigators on staff because their […]

Scott PowersNovember 15, 2017

Democrats Lauren Baer and David Richardson have received endorsements from the Victory Fund gay rights advocacy group in their quests to be elected to Congress in Florida’s 18th and 27th Congressional Districts. Baer and Richardson are both openly gay, marking the second consecutive congressional election cycle in which Floridians have been presented with two opportunities […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

Medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed anywhere in unincorporated Orange County that pharmacies might go, thanks to a unanimous vote Tuesday evening by the Orange County Commission. After hearing scores of people testify in favor of allowing the dispensaries Tuesday and at a previous commission public hearing on Oct. 31, the board of commissioners decided […]

Scott Powers

Val Demings calls reported Stephen Bittel conduct ‘extremely inappropriate’

All four Democratic gubernatorial candidates call for Stephen Bittel’s resignation as Dem’s chair

Defense budget bill includes much for Florida, Cape Canaveral, Bill Nelson says

All Aboard Florida wins again in water district dispute: permit cleared

Teresa Jacobs not done with I-Drive, convention center plans

New Orlando airport garage opens, first anchor to future terminal

John Morgan: Set your watch to first quarter of 2018

Mike Carroll calls child protective investigators ‘heroes,’ calls for more funding

Victory Fund endorses Lauren Baer, David Richardson in CD 18, 27

Orange County approves medical marijuana dispensaries