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

Staff ReportsJuly 2, 2018

The capital area’s top prosecutor on Monday said a decision whether to press charges in the Jack Latvala investigation won’t come till next week at the earliest. A spokesperson for State Attorney Jack Campbell said Friday a decision could have come as early as this week. Campbell called Florida Politics Monday morning to say he was […]

Staff ReportsJune 29, 2018

Kennedy retirement sets stage for epic confirmation fight As expected, the Supreme Court ended the week, and its term, with a bang. They handed down decisions that favored anti-abortion services providers, upheld President Donald Trump’s so-called travel ban, and kneecapped public employee and teachers’ unions, If progressives and Democrats thought that was bad, the announcement of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement […]

Staff ReportsJune 29, 2018

Elkton Republican Travis Hutson followed up strong May fundraising with a six-figure June haul that pushed his two political committees over $500,000 cash on hand, asserts his political operation. Hutson, who is pursuing the Senate Presidency in 2022, is raising money and spending money at the committee level, with an eye toward consolidating support statewide. His First Coast Business […]

Staff ReportsJune 29, 2018

On the heels of a Duval County School Board member claiming that his district is “gaming the system” with artificially inflated civics test scores at a struggling school, six Republican lawmakers demanded answers Thursday from Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. Reps. Jason Fischer, Michael Bileca, James Grant, Bob Rommel, and Jennifer Sullivan, along with Sen. Dennis Baxley, raised concerns about “Duval, Manatee […]

Staff ReportsJune 28, 2018

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Florida’s Legislature largely won in an appellate decision out Thursday in a case alleging lawmakers failed to match at least $384.5 million in private donations to universities and state colleges that were made under the state’s matching-gift laws. A unanimous panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Circuit Judge Charles Dodson overstepped when […]

Staff ReportsJune 27, 2018

Florida State University says it’s “improved in every performance metric outlined by the Florida Board of Governors and will receive $98.7 million in performance funding this year in recognition of its continuing excellence.” The school made the announcement in a Wednesday press release. The funding is subject to confirmation Thursday by the full Board of Governors. The funds […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2018

CBS poll holds some good news for GOP Voters or candidates should not be overly concerned or excited over the results of one poll. In competitive races, one side is up and one side is down. For example, the most recent CBS News poll shows Republican Gov. Rick Scott with a five-point lead over Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson (see below) among […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2018

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced Tuesday he had directed insurance experts to Franklin County to help residents navigate the insurance claims process. A “fast-moving, out-of-control wildfire” broke out Sunday, the Tallahassee Democrat reported, claiming as many as two dozen homes in the Eastpoint area. As of early Tuesday, the blaze was roughly […]

Staff ReportsJune 26, 2018

The Florida Education Association (FEA) is asking state lawmakers to take a pledge — to make them “at least” average. The statewide teachers union held a press call Tuesday about boosting their pay, saying that “Florida’s public school teachers and education staff professionals sit near the bottom of the national barrel when it comes to pay, […]

Staff ReportsJune 25, 2018

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Advocates for a ballot initiative to put an end to dog racing have released a video to bolster their claim that “greyhounds are confined for as much as 23 hours per day at Florida racetracks.” The 1-minute, 33-second YouTube video, titled “Greyhound Racers Can’t Handle the Truth,” was posted on Monday by the Protect Dogs — […]

Staff Reports

Jack Latvala prosecution decision will likely come next week

Delegation for 6.29.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Travis Hutson’s political committee now at $500K cash-on-hand

Lawmakers demand answers on questionable civics test results

Appellate court mostly finds for lawmakers in matching-gift case

FSU says it qualifies for nearly $100M in ‘performance funding’

Delegation for 6.26.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jimmy Patronis sends help for victims of Eastpoint blaze

Florida teachers union to lawmakers: Increase our pay

‘Protect Dogs’ drops new video on greyhound industry