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

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2016

Four years after the Orange County Commission was presented a citizen petition for a ballot initiative it wanted nothing to do with, officials are preparing stricter requirements for residents to put ordinances on the countywide ballot. The Orange County Charter Review Commission on Thursday will be voting to recommend a host of proposed charter changes that would require […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2016

Two years ago Thursday Orange County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan “Scott” Pine was gunned down while pursuing a suspect. On Wednesday the Florida Senate did all it could to make sure his surviving family – and others – won’t have to wait another year for financial security. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 7012, which would increase […]

Scott PowersFebruary 10, 2016

State Sen. Alan Hays has filed to run for the supervisor of elections office in Lake County rather than stay in the Florida Senate. Hays, who still could run for a two-year term in the Florida Senate, instead filed Monday to replace a legend in Lake County, Supervisor Emogene W. Stegall, who has run the elections office […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2016

Development of NASA’s next big rocket, the Space Launch System, would be delayed under the budget proposed Tuesday by President Barack Obama, bringing space exploration advocates are saying. The president’s fiscal year 2017 federal budget calls for just over $19 billion for NASA, which is more than the president proposed last year but $260 million […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2016

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The Seminole County Commission approved an anti-fracking ordinance Tuesday as it denounced the hydraulic fracturing oil and gas drilling technology and the Legislature for taking up bills that would restrict local decisions about it. The all-Republican commission (in a nonpartisan county) voted unanimously on an ordinance that bans “any oil and gas exploration that uses […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2016

State Sen. Darren Soto‘s bid to become the first Floridian of Puerto Rican descent to be elected to Congress has won the endorsement of New Yorker U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, also of Puerto Rican descent. Soto said Tuesday he has the backing of Democrat Velázquez, a 23-year House member from Brooklyn, in his Democratic bid […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2016

The 120-bed former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home in Orlando’s Lake Baldwin neighborhood would be transferred to the state of Florida and reopened as a state facility for veterans under a bill that U.S. Rep. John Mica expects to get through the House of Representatives Tuesday. The facility is part of the old […]

Scott PowersFebruary 8, 2016

John Sprouls has been reappointed to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and Kenneth Bradley and David Walsh have been appointed to new terms on the board, in moves announced Monday by Gov. Rick Scott. Sprouls, 57, of Orlando, is chief administrative officer for Universal Parks and Resorts. Bradley, 54, of Winter Park, […]

Scott PowersFebruary 8, 2016

Two South Floridacongressmen, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, will co-chair a new bipartisan caucus taking a look at climate change, the pair jointly announced Monday. The two congressmen announced the creation of the Climate Solutions Caucus and pledged they will hold events aimed at educating members on the threats […]

Scott PowersFebruary 8, 2016

The University of Central Florida proposed downtown campus has its $67 million commitment from the city of Orlando, but that doesn’t mean the university has what it takes yet to get state approval. Orlando City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to approve a deal that would donate land, a building and infrastructure improvements toward UCF’s […]

Scott Powers

Orange County proposals to change ballot initiative process likely to rekindle ballot fight

Senate approves first responders’ survivors’ benefit bill honoring Orange County deputy

Alan Hays files to run for Lake County Supervisor of Elections

Proposed NASA budget cuts SLS funding but increases most science and KSC development

Seminole County OKs anti-fracking ordinance, criticizes Tallahassee

Darren Soto endorsed by New York U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez

John Mica’s bill would transfer closed federal VA nursing home to state

Governor appoints John Sprouls, Kenneth Bradley, David Walsh to UCF board

Carlos Curbelo, Ted Deutch announce bipartisan climate change solutions caucus

Orlando City Council OKs UCF downtown campus package