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

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

After a classified intelligence briefing for a newly-formed U.S. Senate panel on cyberterrorism, Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson issued a strong warning Wednesday. Nelson, the Ranking Democrat, acknowledging a “very serious” cyberattack by Russia on American elections and warning that American infrastructure is vulnerable. The classified briefing before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Cyberterrorism […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

Brightline, the private, for-profit intercity passenger railroad that plans to open service in South Florida this summer and one day send a 110-mph train to Orlando, announced the hiring of a new CEO and other executive moves Wednesday. Dave Howard, a former Major League Baseball executive from New York, was named chief executive officer. Former […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

A bill banning the use of anabolic steroids on racing greyhounds was overwhelmingly approved by the Florida House Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee Wednesday after sponsor state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and industry lobbyists traded “fake fact” charges. House Bill 743, sponsored by Smith and Republican state Rep. Alexandra Miller of Sarasota would ban dogs that […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Lake Worth Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens want people to stop going to jail or prison for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The pair of lawmakers introduced bills this week that would make possession of one ounce or less of cannabis – described as a “personal use […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

President Donald Trump will get his first chance to signal his vision for space now that both houses of Congress have approved a $19.5 billion bill cosponsored by both Florida senators to continue NASA’s programs. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved the one-year spending plan late Tuesday, calling for continued support for commercial space […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

New Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla has to be getting used to being a kicked-around rookie on the Board of Commissioners, especially as an outspoken Democrat on a Republican-dominated panel, but Tuesday she got taken down by all of her fellow commissioners. “I feel it is pretty disrespectful,” Bonilla told them during Tuesday’s meeting, after […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio lost leases on his offices in Tampa and Jacksonville in part because of landlord’s impatience with the incessant barrage of protests out front. Is Orlando next? The plaza in front of the downtown Orlando office building housing Rubio’s Central Florida office was the site of another protest Tuesday, as it has […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

Osceola County Expressway Authority plans to run a new highway through an Orange County nature park drew strong fire Tuesday at the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting, but Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the commissioners were uncertain they could do anything about it. Several dozen people came to the meeting to appeal to Jacobs and […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

Three current or potential Democratic candidates for governor criticized Gov. Rick Scott‘s State of the State speech Tuesday for what he did not talk about, with Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine critical of low-wage jobs, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum of Scott’s reading of the Pulse nightclub massacre and former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham his priorities. […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2017

Democratic leaders Janet Cruz of the House of Representatives and Oscar Braynon of the Florida Senate slammed Gov. Rick Scott‘s primary focal point — jobs creation — Tuesday by arguing that the jobs he’s attracting are low-wage, low-benefit. Scott boasted that Florida “is on the verge of becoming the job creation capital of the world!” and […]

Scott Powers

Bill Nelson warns of Russia, China cyberthreats

Brightline brings in new CEO, moves other executives

Bill banning steroid use for racing dogs passes House panel

Carlos Smith, Jeff Clemens introduce decriminalize pot bills

NASA’s $19.5B plan headed for Donald Trump’s desk

Emily Bonilla clashes with other Orange commissioners over parks appointee

Protests at Marco Rubio’s office say focus is on access, not booting him

Planned Osceola Parkway extension through park draws fire in Orange meeting

Democratic gubernatorial maybes Philip Levine, Gwen Graham, Andrew Gillum weigh in Rick Scott speech

Janet Cruz and Oscar Braynon slam quality of Rick Scott’s jobs