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

Staff ReportsOctober 4, 2017

A measure to overhaul community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), a priority of House Speaker Richard Corcoran, has been filed for the 2018 Legislative Session. Rep. Jake Raburn, a Lithia Republican, is sponsoring the bill (HB 17). Lawmakers designed the programs to combat blight and slums and build affordable housing, WFSU explained. Critics argue more regulations are needed to ensure […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2017

Consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped six-tenths of a point in September to 95.5 from a revised figure of 96.1 in August. Similarly, the University of Michigan’s nationwide consumer sentiment index decreased slightly in September. Of the five components that make up the index, three decreased and two increased. Perceptions of one’s personal financial situation now […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2017

The Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities, on Tuesday set into motion its plan “to review electric utility hurricane preparedness and restoration actions during the 2017 hurricane season,” the panel said in a press release. “The review will explore the potential to further minimize infrastructure damage that results in outages,” the release said. Chairman […]

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 2017

Caulkins Citrus Co. launched the expansion of its Indiantown “water farm,” increasing the reservoir from an existing 413 acres to 3,200 acres. “The expansion of the facility was completed in just nine months,” the company said in a press release Tuesday. “The additional acres will now allow the water farm to store up to 35 […]

Staff ReportsOctober 2, 2017

Lauren Baer, a former senior official in the Obama administration, is launching a Democratic challenge to Republican Brian Mast in Florida’s 18th Congressional District. CD 18 covers St. Lucie and Martin counties, as well as the northeastern Palm Beach County. From 2011 and 2017, Baer served as senior adviser to Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and […]

Staff ReportsOctober 2, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott Monday has ordered flags at half-staff “in honor and remembrance of the victims of the act of violence committed in Las Vegas during the late-night hours of Oct. 1.” The U.S. and state flags will be flown at half-staff “at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 29, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Friday that Puerto Rican students displaced by Hurricane Maria will be able to get free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. That’s “in response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico and in preparation for an influx of evacuees,” Putnam’s office said in a release. Since 2012, the Florida […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 29, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott said Friday he will propose a 10 percent pay raise for juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers in his 2018-19 recommended budget. That budget is expected to be revealed at The Associated Press’ annual legislative coverage planning session on Nov. 2 at the Capitol. Scott will recommend $8 million in pay raises to support officer recruitment and […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2017

Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey is endorsing Republican Ashley Moody as Florida’s next Attorney General. “There is no better choice to serve Floridians as our next Attorney General than Ashley Moody,” Ivey said in a statement Thursday. “Her strong and reasoned approach to the criminal issues that plague our state will have a lasting impact on the safety of […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2017

Thomas Hobbs is the newest lobbyist with Ramba Consulting Group, and will become Chief Pilot and Operations Manager for Capital Air Service, according to a Thursday press release. Hobbs, a captain in the Florida Army National Guard, is just back from National Guard duty in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma, and less than six […]

Staff Reports
Image via AP.

Bill would rein in community redevelopment agencies

Florida consumer sentiment continues downward in September

Utility regulators plan hurricane prep, restoration review

Martin County ‘water farm’ expanded

Ex-Obama official to challenge Brian Mast in CD 18

Rick Scott orders flags at half-staff for Las Vegas shooting victims

Incoming Puerto Rican students eligible for free school meals

Rick Scott backs raise for juvy officers

Brevard Sheriff endorses Ashley Moody for Attorney General

Personnel note: Thomas Hobbs joins Ramba Consulting