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

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

A bill that would set tougher rules and safety requirements on the All Aboard Florida Brightline passenger rail train being developed along the East Coast got approval from the Florida Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday. Yet members of that committee sounded as if they’ll be ready to derail the bill later, if they eventually conclude it’s […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

State Rep. Kamia Brown of Ocoee called Tuesday for the state to redouble efforts to provide mental health services for students after the apparent suicide of a student at Minneola High School in Lake County Tuesday morning. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a 17-year-old student named Seth Sutherland shot and killed himself in the […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham wants to put a stop to Florida utility ratepayers paying for nuclear power plants that were never built or which never worked, or for paying for fracking exploration in Florida. The former congresswoman from Tallahassee went nuclear Tuesday denouncing the 2006 law that allowed Florida investor-owned utility companies to charge […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

The influx of Puerto Ricans evacuating their devastated homes in Puerto Rico are beginning to test the capacities of Central Florida and in particular Osceola County, and more state coordination is needed, a group of local officials told Gov. Rick Scott Monday. Those officials, including Kissimmee Mayor Jose Alvarez, Osceola County Schools Superintendent Debra Pace, […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke reported raising $9,301 in his first month of campaigning for the Orange County mayor’s job in 2017. That starts him off well behind the two leading candidates in the money chase so far, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and Rob Panepinto, president of Orlando Inc., the Orlando-area chamber of commerce. […]

Scott PowersNovember 10, 2017

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill reported raising more than $30,000 in October toward her 2018 re-election bid in Florida Senate District 14 in the northern Space Coast. Hukill’s haul was her biggest one-month total yet, and brings her contributions to $84,700. After expenses the Port Orange Republican had $57,400 in the bank at the end of […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2017

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has approved a deal with a consortium of northern toll agencies that will allow their customers to drive Central Florida toll roads, paying tolls with their hometown transponders. The deal, approved Thursday by the CFX Board of Trustees, is with the E-ZPass group representing 37 toll-road and toll-bridge agencies in 16 […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2017

The results of Tuesday night’s elections for the Longwood City Commission – with three new commissioners elected to office – has spurred state Reps. Scott Plakon and Bob Cortes to file a bill that would strip cities from having any approval of cardrooms at pari-mutuel facilities such as dog tracks. Longwood is home to the […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2017

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his wife Karen Dyer are divorcing after a a 29-year marriage, Dyer’s office confirmed Thursday morning. News of the breakup broke through the Orlando Sentinel, which reported that the Dyers are seeking an amicable split after separating for some time. In a statement issued by his office, Buddy Dyer stated, […]

Scott Powers

Bill to tighten All Aboard Florida rules gets approval – but so does train

Kamia Brown calls for ‘redoubled’ mental health efforts after school suicide

Gwen Graham goes nuclear over recovery fees, fracking fees

Central Florida officials ask Rick Scott for more coordination for Puerto Rico evacuees

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Pete Clarke raises $9,300 in Orange County mayor’s race, while Jerry Demings, Rob Panepinto now top $240K

Dorothy Hukill raises $30K, Dennis Baxley $33K, in Florida Senate re-election bids

Expressway Authority deal allows E-ZPass use from Northeast on Central Florida toll roads

Longwood city election spurs bill to strip cities of control of cardroom gambling

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, wife Karen Dyer divorcing