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

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

The Florida Lottery sold more than $528 million in tickets during April, contributing to its strongest quarterly returns on record, officials announced Thursday. That was $100 million more than the April returns five years ago, and meant more than $130 million to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. “I am extremely proud of our Florida […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

Contributions for candidates in the race to replace House District 71’s Jim Boyd topped $115,000 for April. Will Robinson, a Bradenton Republican, bested Sarasota Republican James Buchanan for the month, pulling in a whopping $97,600 to Buchanan’s $15,300, records show. And Bradenton Democrat Randy Cooper put up $2,210. Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, is term-limited, having been first […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

The state has returned $275 million in unclaimed property thus far this fiscal year, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Thursday — setting a new record with a month and a half yet to go. The returns represented more than 425,000 individual claims, and surpassed the previous record $271.8 million returned during 2015-16. “Month after […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

Vance Aloupis’ second finance report shows a fundraising slowdown to $31,150 in April from just over $103,000 in March. But the Miami Republican, vying to replace the term-limited Mike Bileca in House District 115, still eclipses the competition for the seat, which has raised a total of $250 among three candidates. All of Aloupis’ reported contributions for April […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

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Call it an April slowdown. Ed Hooper, the former Republican state representative and Clearwater city commissioner, posted just over $600 in April after two consecutive months of five-digit fundraising. Hooper, aiming to replace term-limited Jack Latvala in Senate District 16, put up only $640 in contributions and showed $20 in expenditures for the month. That’s after bringing […]

Staff ReportsMay 11, 2017

Gwen Graham is out with her first campaign video, highlighting recent Workdays and her 2018 gubernatorial launch. “My love for Florida runs deep, but my patience, my patience for inaction in the state I love has run out,” Graham says in the video over scenes of her announcement speech and Workdays across Florida teaching, installing […]

Staff ReportsMay 10, 2017

Jeff Atwater will remain in office as state chief financial officer until the state budget is completely settled, his office confirmed Wednesday. Atwater has announced plans to leave Tallahassee to become CFO at Florida Atlantic University upon the conclusion of the Legislative Session. That came last Friday, although the Legislature required another three days to […]

Staff ReportsMay 10, 2017

Florida Democratic Party Chair Stephen Bittel and President Sally Boynton Brown are taking a two-day tour of the Panhandle to “energize the Democratic base and spread the party’s message of economic growth and opportunity to all corners of the state,” they said in a Wednesday news release. “I ran for party chair to build permanent progressive infrastructure […]

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

One of 11 bills signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott expands use of therapy animals in court proceedings involving child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. “This legislation will help children and individuals with unique abilities in our state as they face some of the most challenging times in their life,” Scott said in a […]

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Tuesday pledging $800 million in bonds toward Senate President Joe Negron’s signature project — a $1.5 billion plan to restore Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades by building a reservoir south of the lake. Scott had signaled his intention to sign the legislation earlier in the week, calling Everglades restoration “a […]

Staff Reports
According to reviews, F1: The Movie is living up to the hype. Image via AppleTV+/Associated Press.

Florida Lottery made $528 million in April, for strongest quarter to date

Race to replace Jim Boyd gins up big numbers

Jeff Atwater announces new record — $275 million — in returned property

Miami Republican Vance Aloupis hoists $31,150 in April

After strong start, Ed Hooper raises just $640 in April for Senate bid

Gwen Graham talks about making a difference in first campaign video

Jeff Atwater sticking around as Florida CFO until state budget is nailed down

Democratic leaders touring Panhandle

New law expands use of therapy animals for children facing court proceedings

Rick Scott signs SB 10, the Lake Okeechobee restoration plan, into law