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

Scott PowersDecember 28, 2016

Former state Sen. Dwight Bullard has gotten himself elected state committeeman from Gadsden County and is back in the running for chairman of the Florida Democratic Party. Bullard, whose home turf has been Miami, where he lost a bitter re-election campaign this fall after redistricting, has a home in Gretna in Gadsden County, and now is […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2016

Fresh off his step-three victory last week among Miami Democrats, Stephen Bittel has formally launched his candidacy to become chairman of the Florida Democratic Party. Bittel announced his candidacy Tuesday, though he’s been securing endorsements and backing for weeks for the vacancy created by the departure of FDP Chairwoman Allison Tant. The Democrats will select […]

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2016

Orlando’s U.S. Rep.-elect Val Demings is entering Congress as one of the Democrats’ leaders. Demings was elected in December to represent Florida’s 10th Congressional District, covering Representative-elect Val Demings’ office announced Tuesday she has been appointed by Democratic leadership to serve as an Assistant Whip in the Democratic Caucus. The former Orlando Police Chief will […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2016

Upset that the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission voted 3-2 this year to increase levels of water contaminants when it was short two members, state Sen. Linda Stewart filed a bill seeking to avoid such short-handed votes in the future. Stewart, a Democrat from Orlando, filed a bill Wednesday that would require the governor to fill […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2016

Airbnb has reached an agreement Wednesday with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector Office, in a deal that could immediately add thousands of dollars in county revenue. Home hosts in Hillsborough will begin paying bed taxes for overnight guests, which is estimated at about one-quarter million dollars a year. Airbnb will collect and remit taxes from 838 […]

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2016

U.S. Congresswoman-elect Stephanie Murphy announced Tuesday she intends to join the two moderate-Democrat organizations in Congress, the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition. Murphy said the coalitions – the New Democrats promote small business, the Blue Dogs, fiscal conservatism – “align with her goals of strengthening Central Florida’s growing entrepreneurial and small business […]

Scott PowersDecember 20, 2016

A bipartisan Congressional task force heavily influenced by Florida’s U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio released its final report Tuesday on dealing with Puerto Rico’s economic collapse offering scores of recommendations for helping the U.S. territory, its economy and it’s people. Authorized last summer by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, […]

Scott PowersDecember 20, 2016

The number of visitors to Florida choosing to stay in private homes through the Airbnb home-sharing app continues to explode and has topped 1.5 million for the 2016 year, the company announced Tuesday. With Florida attracting more than 100 million visitors a year Airbnb still represents a tiny fraction of the market. But it now […]

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2016

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Imagine a populist Democrat who not only bucks the party but has to battle against it, funded only by small donations and passionate followers lured to a message about what’s in it for THEM. Bernie Sanders? Alan Grayson? The party’s only hope in Florida if it wants to elect someone statewide, other than Bill Nelson? Or just […]

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2016

Santa Claus’s credibility has taken a bit of a hit this year, but Americans of all political stripes still believe in Christmas by overwhelming numbers, according to a new poll released Monday by Public Policy Polling. And if there is a divisive issue this time of year, it apparently involves the phrase “Happy Holidays!” While […]

Scott Powers

Dwight Bullard elected in Gadsden County, back in state Dems race

Stephen Bittel makes official his run for Florida Dems’ chair

Val Demings named assistant whip for Congressional Dems

Linda Stewart files bill to stop short-handed contamination votes

Airbnb reaches agreement with Hillsborough County over tourist taxes

Stephanie Murphy joining Blue Dogs, New Democrats

Congressional Puerto Rico task force releases final recommendations

Airbnb housing in Florida doubles again in 2016, reaches 1.5 million

Alan Grayson: Florida Democrats need someone with a message

Santa Claus takes credibility hit, poll finds