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

Staff ReportsApril 30, 2018

Work on the Senate side-grounds of the Florida Capitol and its underground parking garage is nearing an end after the garage was first closed in May 2016. It was shut down when its primary support girder showed signs of stress after years of water intrusion. “Structural work inside the Senate parking garage was completed last […]

Staff ReportsApril 30, 2018

Former House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford is taking over as co-chair of The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, the organization announced Friday. Pafford, 52, originally a West Palm Beach Democrat, served in the House 2008-16, when he was term limited. He rose to Leader for the 2015 and 2016 Legislative Sessions after being Deputy Whip and […]

Staff ReportsApril 29, 2018

Marvin Davies, Dr. Rev. Willie Oliver Wells Sr., and John Dorsey Due Jr. have been selected for addition to the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Scott chose the three from a list of 10 distinguished nominees selected by the Florida Commission on Human Relations “for making significant contributions to the […]

Staff ReportsApril 28, 2018

A noted Tampa attorney is now finding himself on the other end of a courtroom, facing accusations of nearly $70K in unpaid rent. According to a suit filed April 18 in Hillsborough County, attorney Barry Cohen’s law firm — The Barry A. Cohen Legal Team — owes more than $69,000 in back rent payments on […]

Staff ReportsApril 28, 2018

A Wimauma mother is suing two carnival ride operators for injuries her 10-year-old son sustained in February at the Florida State Fairgrounds. In a suit filed in Hillsborough County April 17, Kristen Roman says her minor son “M.O.” was at an unidentified Hillsborough County event February 9, when he went on the Starship 4000 ride […]

Staff ReportsApril 28, 2018

When the Leon County School Board — situated in the backyard of a school-choice friendly Capitol — voted unanimously this week to block two charters from setting up shop, it was framed as “sending a message to the state.” Following the rejection of proposed charters Plato Academy and Tallahassee Classical School, Superintendent Rocky Hanna said, “Today is the […]

Staff ReportsApril 27, 2018

Maybe this chaos is the new normal It has been another one of those weeks in Washington where just as one story begins to lead the cycle, another one overtakes it. Some call that chaos while others call it business as usual in the era of President Donald Trump. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, CIA […]

Staff ReportsApril 27, 2018

Lately, Jacksonville politics has been fractious. A debate over JEA privatization, a hot-button topic for months, saw the culmination of claims and cross-claims of lies, betrayals, subterfuge and deception before Mayor Lenny Curry pulled the plug Thursday. As the political season approaches, locals may want to take a cue from gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, who made yet another […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2018

Calvina Fay, Executive Director of the Drug-Free America Foundation announced at Wednesday night’s Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala that she will be retiring at the end of the month, the organization announced Thursday. Fay has been the leader of the organization for 20 years, and a drug prevention advocate for over 35 years. “Under Calvina Fay’s leadership, […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2018

One of the bidders in Tampa Bay’s efforts to ease traffic — the Cross-Bay Ferry — is heading to court to keep its finances out of the public eye, calling them “trade secrets.” In 2016, the City of St. Petersburg launched the Cross-Bay Ferry, a seasonal program that would shuttle passengers between St. Petersburg and […]

Staff Reports

Construction on Capitol grounds, underground nears completion

Personnel note: Mark Pafford named co-chair of gun violence prevention group

Rick Scott selects three for Civil Rights Hall of Fame

After 25 years, Barry Cohen’s law firm faces eviction from Tampa offices

Mother of injured boy sues Florida State Fair ride operators

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Charter school chatter

Delegation for 4.27.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Jacksonville Bold for 4.27.18 — Lessons learned

Personnel note: Calvina Fay to retire from Drug Free America Foundation

Cross Bay Ferry bidder fighting public records request