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

Scott PowersFebruary 17, 2017

Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto declared Friday that he’s willing to work with Republicans on an appropriate replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act but completely dismissed the GOP’s current proposal as no where near acceptable. Soto, representing Florida’s Orlando-Kissimmee based 9th Congressional District, is participating in the House of Representatives Democrats’ “National Day of Action” […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2017

Saying that testimony before his committee convinced him that inadequate time was set aside to decide what is now a controversial $511 million contract award, state Sen. Jeff Brandes Thursday called for an investigation of Tri-Rail. Brandes asked Interim Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Rachel Cone to have the department’s investigator general look into how the […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2017

The 115th Congress and new administration of Presidential Donald Trump got its first public discussion Thursday of what should be the priorities for NASA, and Congressional leaders and expert witnesses all agreed NASA needs bold specific goals and funding stability to support them. That would mean Mars based on NASA’s current plans, but it also should […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2017

U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando is joining the call for an independent investigation of ties between Russia and former White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and President Donald Trump. Demings, a Democrat, sits on the House Oversight Committee – whose Republican chairman U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz has dismissed prospects of such an investigation […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2017

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority took its best shot Thursday at defending its decisions to throw out five proposals and accept the remaining one for a $511 million contract, a move that has drawn stern criticism from several state leaders including Gov. Rick Scott. Among the biggest critics has been state Sen. Jeff Brandes, […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

As at least one key lawmaker pushes to open Florida’s coming medical marijuana industry to a free market and the current seven licensed companies fight to keep it tight, a new advocacy group is emerging saying it wants to help develop a middle ground. Smart Medicine For Florida will be pushing for regulations that would assure quality, safety, […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

The operators of South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter train are sticking to their guns, defending their process that disqualified five of six bidders for a half-billion dollar contract, and hoping to win back angry state leaders who want to cut their state funding over the matter. “Right now, we’re moving forward. We followed a process, and we […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

President Donald Trump will be holding a rally in Melbourne Saturday afternoon in what is essentially a re-election campaign stop being promoted by his campaign. Team Trump-Pence, the successor to Donald J. Trump for President, announced the president’s rally would be at a 5 p.m. event at the AeroMod International Hangar at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport. The appearance […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

With all but an OMG! reference, House Democratic Leader Pro-Tempore Bobby DuBose has challenged House Speaker Richard Corcoran to share anything he has to back up claims that terrorists have likely infiltrated Muslim refugees in Florida. DuBose sent a letter Tuesday to Corcoran and copied several key Republican lawmakers urging the speaker to “share with […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

NOAA needs back-up hurricane hunter planes, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto insist. The pair of Democratic Florida lawmakers – Soto is from Orlando – have introduced bills requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to buy and maintain back-up planes. “Right now we only have one set, so if there is […]

Scott Powers
All over St. Pete, volunteers are helping neighbors who can't afford to replace refrigerators filled with food.

Darren Soto willing to work with GOP on health care, but not on this plan

Jeff Brandes calls for investigation of Tri-Rail contract

NASA continuity, moon landings, urged in congressional hearing

Val Demings calls for investigation into Michael Flynn’s, Donald Trump’s ties to Russia

Tri-Rail defends its $500M contract before Senate committee

New group seeks to steer medical marijuana between control, free market

Tri-Rail sticking with, defending, controversial $500M, one-bid contract

Donald Trump rally in Melbourne confirmed

Bobby DuBose challenges Richard Corcoran’s ‘terrorists’ comments

Darren Soto, Bill Nelson want NOAA to double up on hurricane planes