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

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

Republican Attorney General candidate Ashley Moody added eight more Florida sheriffs to her endorsement list Thursday. “I am truly honored to have the endorsement of these respected and dedicated law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line each and every day,” said Moody. “As Florida’s next Attorney General, I look forward to working together to […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court narrowly decided to hear a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto of firefighter pay raises in the 2015-16 state budget. The Court “accepted jurisdiction” of the case (No. SC17-1434) on Thursday, with the first brief on the merits due by Feb. 14. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justices R. Fred […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 24, 2018

Editor’s note: Miami Herald journalist Carol Marbin Miller and former Herald reporter Audra D.S. Burch became the first recipients of the Lucy Morgan Award for Open Government Reporting, recognized for the series “Fight Club: Dark Secrets of Florida Juvenile Justice.” Established in November by the First Amendment Foundation, the award is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

Florida lawmakers are moving closer to allowing “advanced birth centers,” facilities that offer prospective mothers at minimal risk of complications an alternative to expensive hospital visits. On Tuesday, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1099, which lets Florida expand the use of ABCs – the freestanding, non-hospital facilities that supply a variety […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

There will be more ways to watch the Florida Supreme Court when it revs up Facebook Live broadcasts this week. The court will use the social media broadcasting service to televise Thursday’s Florida Bar Pro Bono Awards honoring lawyers who donate services to people in need, court spokesman Craig Waters said in a Tuesday email. After that, Facebook […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

The Florida Democrats have a new communications director — and she is a familiar presence in the all-important Orlando market. Former Orlando television journalist Caroline Rowland, whose most recent TV stint was at Orlando’s News 13 before moving on to Rep. Val Demings‘ campaign and office, is Chair Terrie Rizzo‘s hire. “I am excited to announce that Caroline […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

On Friday, the Rick Scott administration published new proposed backup-power rules for Florida’s assisted living facilities. It is a move that could mean an end to the legal struggle between the governor’s office and providers, with Scott backing off the controversial mandate that long-term care facilities install generators to provide continuous power in the case […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

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A disgraced St. Petersburg police officer behind a brutal arrest four years ago is now heading to court, facing accusations of excessive force. In 2014, Kenneth Pienik, then an officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department, arrested 50-year-old Lithia resident Stephen Woodworth for DUI. At the time, Woodworth was an employee of Pop-A-Lock, an automotive […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

CoreMessage on Monday announced the promotion of Carrie Patrick to Senior Manager of Advocacy and Operations, and Brianna Shoaf to Account Manager. Patrick has more than 16 years of experience in the communications, policy, legislative, state government and private industry arenas. During her time at CoreMessage, Patrick has managed multiple state and federal public relation […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced the appointment of four new trial-court and appellate judges: — J. Andrew “Drew” Atkinson to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. Atkinson, 44, of Tampa, is now the General Counsel for the Department of Management Services. A native of the Tampa Bay area, he previously practiced with the […]

Staff Reports

AG hopeful Ashley Moody banks eight more sheriff endorsements, up to 33 total

Supreme Court will take firefighter pay raise case

Carol Marbin Miller talks winning war of secrecy, truth in Lucy Morgan reporting award speech

House committee passes proposal for advanced birthing centers

‘Like’ this: Supreme Court will soon be on Facebook Live

Florida Democrats hire former Orlando TV journo Caroline Rowland as new comms director

Assisted living facilities pleased by Rick Scott’s new proposal on backup power sources

Four years after brutal arrest, former St. Pete officer sued over excessive force

Personnel note: CoreMessage promotes team members

Gaveling in: Rick Scott appoints new judges