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

Staff ReportsJanuary 30, 2018

President Donald Trump will call for a “new American moment” in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, as he seeks to rally a deeply divided nation and infuse his presidency with a sense of optimism, for at least one high-profile night. According to excerpts released ahead of the prime-time address, the president will declare […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 30, 2018

With billionaire casino magnate Steve Wynn’s exit as Republican National Committee finance chair over sexual harassment allegations, eyes turned to lobbyist and significant Donald Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard to fill the role. But the GOP will have to look elsewhere, Ballard said. “I would basically have to go on leave from my duties at the […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 30, 2018

Consumer sentiment among Floridians starts the year with the highest level in 16 years, increasing 2.3 points in January to 99.8 from the revised December figure of 97.5. These confidence levels have not been observed since March 2002, when consumer sentiment reached 102 points. Among the five components that make up the index, one decreased […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 29, 2018

A House bill that would do away with the limit on the number of trauma centers in Florida unanimously cleared its first committee Monday. The bill (HB 1165), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jay Trumbull of Panama City, was OK’d on a 15-0 vote in the Health Quality Subcommittee. The statewide total of trauma centers is […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 29, 2018

Two Pinellas County Republicans want reassurance that students at the University of South Florida’s two smaller sister campuses will receive “significant benefits” under a proposed plan to consolidate the three-campus system into a single university. Citing “years of distrust between campuses” in a letter to USF Board of Trustees Chair Brian Lamb, state Rep. Chris […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 28, 2018

Sen. Marco Rubio said Saturday that he has fired his chief of staff after getting reports of “improper conduct” with subordinate staffers. “By early this afternoon, I had sufficient evidence to conclude that while employed by this office, my Chief of Staff had violated office policies regarding proper relations between a supervisor and their subordinates. […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2018

The private investigator thought to be responsible for outing an affair between Republican Sen. Anitere Flores and Democratic Sen. Oscar Braynon said he didn’t set up the website publicizing the affair, and the lawmakers weren’t who he was surveilling in the Tennyson building. Gainesville-based private eye Derek Uman told the Tampa Bay Times via email […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session is looking likely to end on time. The Senate is proposing $87.3 billion in its version of the 2018-19 state budget, with the House proposal coming in at $87.2 billion, according to documents released Friday. Gov. Rick Scott in November released an $87.4 billion budget, his last as governor and the largest […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2018

The Orlando-based GrayRobinson law firm is growing again with the opening of an office in West Palm Beach and the addition of three new shareholder attorneys. John G. “Jay” White III, Ronald P. “Ron” Ponzoli Jr. and Leora B. Freire will staff the new office in Northbridge Centre. GrayRobinson now has 14 offices across the state. “Florida’s economy is […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2018

Former state Rep. Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz remains at Ballard Partners, but has taken a second position at the law firm of Panza, Maurer & Maynard, the firm announced. Diaz, executive vice president at Ballard’s lobbying firm, also will be a partner in the law firm’s Coral Gables office. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, the firm also has an office in […]

Staff Reports

Trump to call for ‘new American moment’ in national address

Brian Ballard says he won’t put lobbying practice on hold to be RNC Finance Chair

Florida consumer sentiment soars entering 2018

Trauma center legislation begins its annual trek

Legislative leaders seek reassurance as USF consolidation plan moves ahead

Marco Rubio fires chief of staff for ‘improper conduct’

Tennyson private eye says he wasn’t investigating legislators

House, Senate release 2018-19 budget proposals

Legal moves: GrayRobinson opens West Palm Beach office

Personnel note: Jose Felix Diaz also joins Panza Maurer