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

Scott PowersFebruary 27, 2017

State Reps. Scott Plakon and Carlos Guillermo Smith – opposite sides on most gun rights debate in Tallahassee – will headline a debate panel being sponsored Tuesday by the Young Democrats of Orange County. Plakon, a Republican from Longwood who has sponsored a guns on campus bill and supported open carry bills; and Smith, the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 27, 2017

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine believes Florida’s Space Coast is the state’s unique opportunity to capture 21st Century technology. He wants to see it become the Sunshine State’s Silicon Valley. Levine, a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate, sees his vision as not unlike that already pursued by officials at Space Florida and the Economic Development Commission […]

Scott PowersFebruary 24, 2017

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran made it clear Friday he is sticking to his drive to abolish Enterprise Florida Inc. and VISIT Florida saying the moves are right in philosophy and facts. “I’m telling you we’re right. We’re absolutely right,” Corcoran declared in a speech before the Central Florida Urban League. Corcoran described Enterprise Florida as […]

Scott PowersFebruary 24, 2017

Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine both talked about their interest in running for governor and gave what were essentially campaign speeches in Orlando Friday but both stopped short of declaring anything. Gillum and Levine were joined by Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran in addressing the Central Florida Urban League’s […]

Scott PowersFebruary 23, 2017

In a debate Thursday between Orlando’s top prosecutor and public defender, new State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she is looking at rethinking how the 9th Judicial Circuit considers death penalty cases, while Public Defender Bob Wesley urged her not to change policies. Ayala, elected on a judicial reform platform last fall as the top prosecutor for […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy called Wednesday for federal authorities to respond swiftly and strongly to threats made to Jewish centers throughout the nation and got more than 150 of her colleagues to sign on. Murphy and U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat who chairs the House Democratic Conference, sent the letter to Homeland […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

State Rep. Tom Goodson‘s effort to expand the Central Florida Expressway Authority into Brevard County cleared a Florida House subcommittee Wednesday after Goodson told members that roads from the tollroad agency’s region already extend into Brevard County. Questioning from some committee members appeared to suggest they thought Goodson implied that roads actually controlled by the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

A new bill from state Sen. George Gainer would strip Tri-Rail of state funding unless its board rescinds a controversial $511 million contract, and it require state approval of future contracts. The Bay County Republican’s Senate Bill 1118, introduced Tuesday, would force the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to decide between the ten-year, $511 million operations and maintenance contract it […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

Brightline railroad supporters and Treasure Coast counties opposing the higher-speed train planned from Orlando to Miami debated their cases Wednesday before a Florida House committee, showing the high stakes of their fight. Officials from the train company, and two other train companies, were joined by officials of one of the counties, Indian River for a panel […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

State Sen. Jeff Brandes‘s new economic development proposal would continue operations of the embattled Enterprise Florida and state Department of Economic Opportunity, but on tight leashes. Senate Bills 1110 and 1112 spell out a new way of doing business for two of Florida’s major economic development programs that have been under fire for accountability, particularly […]

Scott Powers
Image via AP.

Scott Plakon, Carlos Smith to duel in Young Dems’ guns panel

Philip Levine: Space Coast should be Florida’s Silicon Valley

Richard Corcoran says philosophy, facts drive his EFI, VISIT Florida axe

Andrew Gillum, Philip Levine talk governor runs, give campaign speeches

Aramis Ayala pledges change in how circuit considers death penalty cases

Stephanie Murphy unites 150+ Congress members calling for response on Jewish centers threats

Tom Goodson bill to expand Central Florida Expressway Authority into Brevard clears house panel

George Gainer’s bill would strip Tri-Rail of funding, contracting authority

Brightline, Indian River County duke it out before House panel

Jeff Brandes bills keep Enterprise Florida, but with tight leash