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

Staff ReportsNovember 6, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott will visit Fort Myers, Sanford and Jacksonville Monday — and he will be promoting what his office calls “major” tax cuts that add up to $180 million in potential savings. Among the proposals: a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday, three week-long storm prep tax holidays and cutting the prices of drivers’ license renewals from […]

Staff ReportsNovember 3, 2017

A luxury townhome community in downtown St. Petersburg is now on hold from a legal battle between developer and builder, which reacted to an alleged payment default by getting the city to suspend the project’s permits. Neil Rauenhorst, a licensed architect, real-estate broker and construction financial officer, is the head of Tampa-based NJR Property Investments. […]

Staff ReportsNovember 3, 2017

Major Derek Barrs now is the state’s Chief of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, according to a Friday news release from Col. Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Barrs is a 26-year law enforcement veteran who most recently served as the Commander of FHP’s Troop J, which handles commercial vehicle enforcement operations for Florida’s southern region. […]

Staff ReportsNovember 3, 2017

BarBuilding_Cropped_FromTheRight_588x319-e1466441321170.png

The Florida Bar said it was creating three new committees “to study and develop recommendations … on supporting attorney mental health and wellness, advancing Florida’s mental health laws, and improving representation for children and families in the courts.” The Bar announced the moves in a Thursday press release. “Promoting mental health and wellness for Florida attorneys, […]

Staff ReportsNovember 2, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott didn’t roll out his entire proposed budget Thursday at AP Day, yet he floated a proposal that likely will meet no objection. The governor proposed $200 million for families who adopt children from foster care. This money will continue post-adoption services for more than 37,000 children. Adoptions have gone up since Scott […]

Staff ReportsNovember 1, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-11-01-at-9.57.09-AM.png

Dan Newman, the Florida Democratic Party’s former House Victory Director, will join the Capital City Consulting lobbying firm in Tallahassee, the firm said Wednesday. Newman served as the Caucus Director for House Democratic Campaigns from the end of 2013 through June 2017 under Democratic Leaders Perry Thurston, Mark Pafford and Janet Cruz. “He oversaw record […]

Staff ReportsOctober 31, 2017

The company that owns The Palm Beach Post and Palm Beach Daily News on Tuesday said it plans to sell the papers. Cox Media Group also said it would sell the Austin-American Statesman and a group of Texas community newspapers. “As the media business continues to change, we must adapt our business strategy to navigate these disruptive times for the […]

Staff ReportsOctober 31, 2017

It’s that time of year to be frightened – not by ghosts or goblins, but by Florida’s tax rules on candy. Every year, Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan government watchdog, uses Halloween to demonstrate the state’s boggling rules on what gets taxed and what doesn’t. “Groceries are generally exempt from Florida sales tax, but candy can get confusing,” it says. […]

Staff ReportsOctober 30, 2017

When Alex Sink throws a fundraiser, one thing is assured – it will attract some of the most prominent Democrats on the political scene. In December 2015, the former Florida chief financial officer hosted Hillary Clinton in an event at her Hillsborough County home supporting the former Secretary of State’s presidential bid. Sink, a 2010 […]

Staff ReportsOctober 30, 2017

Ashley Moody received yet another Florida Sheriff’s endorsement in her bid for attorney general, this time from Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels. “Our community cannot play politics with public safety. We need an attorney general who doesn’t need to learn the job on the job. Ashley Moody is the only candidate who has a proven […]

Staff Reports
Alexandra Islas. Image via New College of Florida.

Gov. Scott to push ‘major’ tax cuts in 3 cities Monday

Legal battle stalls high-end townhomes in downtown St. Pete

Personnel note: Derek Barrs becomes top commercial vehicle enforcer

Florida Bar creates panels for mental health, children and families

Rick Scott proposes $200M for adoption of foster kids

Personnel note: Dan Newman joins Capital City Consulting

Palm Beach Post to be sold, newspaper says

Taxes tricky for Halloween treats, TaxWatch says

Al Franken to fundraise for Bill Nelson at Alex Sink event

Clay County Sheriff latest to back Ashley Moody for AG