Staff Reports, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsNovember 22, 2018

Thanksgiving is America’s harvest festival — a time to acknowledge the help of family and friends, and a reminder of what a gift it is to be alive. It’s a day to overindulge in the here and now, even as we reflect on the past. In other words, it’s the perfect holiday for poetry! While […]

Staff ReportsNovember 21, 2018

That’s a lot of turkey. The Florida Lottery this week announced that a Brandon man won the $500,000 top prize in the EXTRA PLAY Scratch-Off game. Lennox Wilson, 51, claimed his prize last Friday at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He bought the winning ticket from a 7-Eleven on Fishhawk Boulevard in Lithia. “The $5 game, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 21, 2018

As families prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and the Florida Forest Service (FFS) have issued safety tips to help prevent fires. The nation’s attention has been on California in recent weeks where severe fires have claimed dozens of lives. With that, Putnam and the FFS have seven primary tips for families looking to […]

Staff ReportsNovember 21, 2018

Though most narratives render the American Thanksgiving as an extension of the English Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock, there is strong evidence that Florida experienced its own versions of the same holiday. Specifically, Northeast Florida, where explorers landed decades before the Pilgrims reached Massachusetts, as the Jacksonville Historical Society notes. “Fifty-six years before the Pilgrims celebrated their […]

Staff ReportsNovember 20, 2018

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Gov. Rick Scott‘s office as Governor was a remarkably disciplined operation, with few leaks or deviations from message over eight years. Expect that his Senate office will be the same. Per POLITICO Florida, Scott’s new chief of staff will be one of the most familiar behind-the-scenes presences in Scott World: Jackie Schutz Zeckman, Scott’s former chief of staff […]

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

Trulieve, the leading medical marijuana distributor in the Sunshine State, announced two weeks ago that it had entered deals to acquire California-based Leef Industries and Massachusetts-based Life Essence. On Thursday, it announced those deals had gone through. While several Florida licenses have been purchased by West Coast operations, this marks the first time a Florida licensee has […]

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

The Senate Democratic Caucus met Monday to select Jacksonville’s Audrey Gibson as its 2018-20 Leader. Members also nominated Tallahassee’s Bill Montford as the Leader pro tempore. Gibson told the caucus she considers “the role more as a bridge builder, for purposes so much larger.” She is now only the third woman to serve in the position, and […]

Staff ReportsNovember 19, 2018

Koch-backed group Americans for Prosperity announced a volley of direct mailers, digital ads and phone banking to spread the word on what the organization is thankful for this Thanksgiving. Four issues got the spotlight in the newly announced ad buys: Reigning in federal spending, supporting a fix for the Dreamers, criminal justice reform and opposition […]

Staff ReportsNovember 17, 2018

December 12 will mark twenty years since the passing of Florida’s former Democratic U.S. Senator and Governor Lawton Chiles. Yet, still to this day, the mark left on Sunshine State politics is very visible. Most Democrats will tell you he’s the best governor in modern Florida history. And Republicans aren’t quick to dispute. Supporters, staffers, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 17, 2018

Soon to be former Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced 10 appointments to multiple Circuit and County Courts, according to a news release: — Alexander Bokor to the 11th Circuit Court. Bokor, 40, of Miami, is a Miami-Dade County Judge. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University and his law degree from the University of […]

Staff Reports

Thanksgiving poems for family and friends

Hillsborough man’s early Thanksgiving treat: Half a million dollars

Adam Putnam issues Thanksgiving fire safety tips

First Thanksgiving was on Florida’s First Coast

Known quantity: Jackie Schutz Zeckman to serve as Rick Scott chief of staff

Trulieve: Remarkable growth for Florida’s leading MMTC

Senate Democrats select Audrey Gibson as 2018-20 leader

Americans for Prosperity-Florida lets voters know what it’s thankful for this year

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Old he-coon reunion

Governor appoints 10 to circuit, county courts