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

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

After losing a judge’s ruling Tuesday on her request to remain the prosecutor for the murder trial of of alleged cop-killer Markeith Loyd, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala vowed Tuesday to continue fighting for her right to represent the state in that case. Ninth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Frederick Lauten ruled Tuesday that the state […]

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

A bill aimed at putting some brakes on the Brightline private passenger train from West Palm Beach to Orlando died Tuesday when it was pulled from the agenda of a Florida House committee. House Bill 269, dubbed the Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act, was set to be heard by the House Transportation & Infrastructure […]

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

A bill seeking to end Florida’s practice of developing tolled express lanes was rejected Tuesday by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Various members of the committee cited a number of reasons why they would not want to see Florida stop developing special lanes that could give higher-speed options through typically congested areas to high-occupancy […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

A bill that would essentially ban Florida cities and counties from regulating the locations or appearances of the next generation technology cell phone towers was approved by a Florida House committee Monday afternoon, but with some expectations that key provisions may be renegotiated. With backers contending that Florida needs to allow swift installation of 5G […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

The anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre is being declared as “Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness and will feature several memorial and commemorative events around Orlando and a call for all to join in acts of love and kindness. The city and Orange County jointly announced Monday that the first […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

After weeks of testimony before his committee on various college and university budget requests, Chairman Larry Ahern of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education Appropriations laid out his proposals Monday to slash Bright Futures money, financial reserves, university support for private organizations, and non-recurring programs, including Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center. Ahern, a Republican state representative […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

Bill Nelson ended any suspense there may have been regarding his views of President Donald Trump‘s first Supreme Court nominee. Florida’s Democratic senator intends to vote no on the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch. Nelson also announced Monday he also would support a Democratic filibuster, by voting against likely Republican efforts to invoke cloture to prevent a filibuster. […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

Palm Beach County’s challenges with hosting the “Winter White House” begin with police and firefighter overtime but also include such needs as tighter cyber security, officials said Monday morning. As a result, Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach is sending a letter today to the White House asking for increased compensation for […]

Scott PowersMarch 24, 2017

As U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was gathering his conference and then announcing the failure of the Republican health care plan, many Florida Democrats were swiftly calling for bipartisan work to improve the Affordable Care Act instead. Republicans who opposed the bill also responded swiftly, calling for a better bill to be crafted, […]

Scott PowersMarch 24, 2017

Democratic U.S. Rep Alcee Hastings, joined by both Florida U.S. senators and seven South Florida members of Congress, is calling on the President Donald Trump administration to extend temporary protected status for Haitian nationals. Hastings, from Fort Lauderdale, sent a letter Friday to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly urging the extended protection for […]

Scott Powers
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Aramis Ayala loses judge’s ruling but pushes forward to challenge case reassignment

High speed rail regulation bill dies in House committee

Committee rejects bill that would stop future express lanes

Telecom companies get committee nod for deregulation of 5G towers

Pulse anniversary memorials set; Orlando calling for ‘acts of love and kindness’

Proposed cuts to colleges and universities unveiled by house committee chair

Bill Nelson to vote no on Neil Gorsuch

Lois Frankel, Palm Beach officials asking for federal help for police overtime, protests, cyber security

Florida Congress members react to GOP health care plan defeat

Alcee Hastings seeks to extend protected status for Haitians