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

Scott PowersApril 6, 2016

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs wants her county to hold off on a new proposal for spending tourist tax money because she thinks any action now would preempt voters, who might get a chance to vote on the tax in November. And unlike Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who endorsed the plan Friday hours after it was proposed […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2016

State redistricting has transformed west Orange County’s Senate district from a longstanding African American-dominated base to a broader, still Democratic-leaning base where environmental operative Chuck O’Neal sees a route to Tallahassee. Apopka resident O’Neal, who has been active on issues ranging from protection of springs and estuaries to opposition to Florida’s bear hunt and oil […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2016

Citing numerous allegations made by the Congressional Ethics Office against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy said Wednesday it should disqualify his Democratic U.S. Senate opponent from public service. Speaking about the ethics findings released Tuesday after a nine-month probe into Grayson’s personal business and financial dealings while he’s been in Congress, Murphy said the allegations are “incredibly concerning” and […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2016

Democrat Bob Poe has lent his congressional campaign $1.2 million of his own money, jumpstarting it into what likely will be a big campaign finance lead over other candidates in Orlando-based Congressional District 10. The wealthy Orlando entrepreneur and former chairman of the Florida Democratic Party said Tuesday that his self-funding effort gives him more than […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2016

The U.S. House Committee on Ethics is extending its review into allegations of ethical violations against U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson involving his Cayman Islands hedge fund and other private businesses. But the committee announced Tuesday it is not going to assign a subcommittee to investigate the charges. Tuesday was the deadline for the committee to […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2016

A day after releasing statewide English-language campaign ads, the campaign of Republican Carlos Beruff is starting Spanish-language radio and TV commercials dubbed “Sueño,” or “Dream,” primarily in the Miami market. Both ads briefly and vaguely follow the theme of the Cuban-American’s arrival in the United States in the 1960s to pursue the American dream, and his concern that […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2016

A boat registered to state Sen. David Simmons‘ company crashed on Lake Maitland early Tuesday. Three people were reported injured, including his daughter when the boat crashed into a dock. Simmons was at home and was not aware the boat was being used, he said. Simmons, a Republican from Altamonte Springs, said the craft was registered […]

Scott PowersApril 4, 2016

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson‘s congressional office communications director Ken Scudder is leaving to take a post with the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee. Scudder, who joined Grayson’s team about a year ago after having worked for U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, said he is leaving the Orlando Democrat’s staff because the JEC post is a “terrific […]

Scott PowersApril 4, 2016

NASA’s plans and preparation for Kennedy Space Center to handle rocket launches to Mars are on track with overhauls of a key launch pad, the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building, a new mobile launcher and other major improvements, the agency has said. As the nation’s premier launch complex prepares to host private company space launches in the […]

Scott PowersApril 1, 2016

With Orange County’s bed tax flush from record tourism, Orlando’s tourism community wants to see more of that money spent on tourism marketing, the convention center and area sports and arts venues, including the next phase of construction for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association and Orlando’s three major […]

Scott Powers

Teresa Jacobs aims to put brakes Orange County tourist tax proposal

Chuck O’Neal brings environmental issues, more to Democrats’ SD 11 race

Patrick Murphy says ethics office report disqualifies Alan Grayson from public service

Bob Poe self-financing start to his campaign with $1.2 million in CD 10

House Ethics panel continues review into Alan Grayson without a subcommittee probe, so he calls it ‘over’

Carlos Beruff broadcasting Spanish ads on TV, radio in Republican U.S. Senate race

Maitland boat registered to David Simmons’ company in accident; family member injured

Alan Grayson’s communications director Ken Scudder leaving

NASA: Work on track for Kennedy Space Center transition to Mars mission

Hotel association, Orlando theme parks pitch for more Orange County tourism tax money