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

Staff ReportsDecember 11, 2017

The 23rd annual Farm Share Holiday Food Giveaway will be held 9-11 a.m. Friday at Faith Baptist Church located at 9230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. The announcement was made Monday by Tax Collector Mike Fasano, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Sheriff Chris Nocco, Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley and Property Appraiser Gary Joiner, all of Pasco County. The giveaway […]

Staff ReportsDecember 8, 2017

The Florida Commission on Ethics has approved a settlement with former state Rep. Doug Holder to resolve an ethics complaint that he filed “inaccurate” financial disclosures in 2010-14. A spokeswoman said the panel OK’d the agreement unanimously at its Friday meeting. Holder, a Sarasota County Republican, will pay $6,500 in civil penalties. The 50-year-old Holder, now a lobbyist, served in the House […]

Staff ReportsDecember 7, 2017

Eric Sutton, assistant executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), will move up to executive director of the agency, effective Friday. The commission announced the move Thursday. Nick Wiley, the current executive director, retires later this month. In a press release, commissioners touted Sutton’s extensive experience with challenging conservation issues and his positive […]

Staff ReportsDecember 6, 2017

Bill Edwards is pushing back against a lawsuit by a musician who claims the renowned St. Petersburg entrepreneur and philanthropist owes him money for his “budding pop career.” The suit also includes a mention of former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, president of the Edwards Group. Edwards is calling for the court to purge the […]

Staff ReportsDecember 5, 2017

Insurance industry expert Donovan Brown is the newest vice president at the burgeoning boutique government affairs firm Suskey Consulting. Brown, who most recently lobbied for GDB Group in Tallahassee, is a former partner at Colodny Fass and served as Southeast state government relations counsel for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. “I am excited […]

Staff ReportsDecember 5, 2017

A Senate bill seeking to control overcharging by marine salvage and towing companies passed its first committee Monday — despite some industry concerns. SB 664, sponsored by Tampa Republican Dana Young, will require written cost estimates — if requested by customers — before a salvage or towing company can provide work costing more than $500. […]

Staff ReportsDecember 4, 2017

Get your checkbooks ready, PAC chairs and Tallahassee uber-lobbyists, for fundraisers for legislators and candidates planned for this week. — — — — On Tuesday, Dec. 5, state Reps. Travis Cummings, Jason Brodeur, Jamie Grant, Cord Byrd, MaryLynn Magar and Rene Plasencia will be holding a 5:30 p.m. fundraiser at the Southern Public House, 224 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 3, 2017

Four days after accusations of extensive sexual harassment, a Tampa City Fire Marshal took retirement — as well as nearly $68,000 in final pay. Charles Wesley Owen III is a 54-year-old Tampa resident and a licensed real estate agent. Tara Crawford is an African-American woman who lives in Hillsborough County. On Feb. 28, After 21 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott late Friday announced the appointment of Sonya Rood and Gary Nicklaus to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Rood, 53, of St. Augustine, succeeds Aliese “Liesa” Priddy and is appointed for a term ending Jan. 2, 2022. Nicklaus, 48, of Jupiter, succeeds Ronald Bergeron and is appointed for a term ending Aug. 1, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 29, 2017

As the holidays near, an iconic local model train shop is facing possible derailment over unpaid loans and rent by a new owner. For nearly 40 years, St. Petersburg resident Alice Gertrude Morris has owned H&R Trains — which claims to be the largest train store in Florida and the second largest model-train store in […]

Staff Reports
AquaGlow beer (Courtesy of Hidden Springs Ale Works)

Pasco politicians announce Farm Share this week

Ethics panel approves settlement in Doug Holder case

Personnel note: Eric Sutton tapped as new FWC director

Bill Edwards pushes back on lawsuit from ‘budding’ pop star

Personnel note: Lobbyist Donovan Brown moving to Suskey Consulting

Senate advances ‘modern-day piracy’ bill requiring marine towing estimates

Get your checkbooks ready for this week’s legislative fundraisers

Lawsuit shows Tampa Fire Marshal retiring days after accusations of super-pervy behavior

Two new appointees join FWC

H&R Trains facing possible derailment over unpaid rent, loans