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

Staff ReportsApril 27, 2017

State workers could get a raise under a proposed budget deal being hashed out by state lawmakers, but it could come at a cost. The $82.9 billion budget deal is expected to provide an across-the-board raise for state workers — their first in about nine years, according to Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, for whom the […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott, while on a trade mission to Argentina, urged the Florida Legislature to include his economic incentives programs when finalizing the next state budget. “Lawmakers cannot be shortsighted at the expense of Florida families by cutting funds for tourism marketing and economic development,” Scott said in a written statement distributed by his office. “I would be […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2017

Assignment of benefits reforms ardently sought by the insurance industry and business passed the Florida House Wednesday on a vote of 91-26. A spokeswoman for the Consumer Protection Coalition, a business-oriented lobby aligned with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, immediately praised the action. “The House’s action is a big step toward ending costly AOB abuse […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2017

The end of the 2017 Session is quickly approaching, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time to get your bets in. Yep, it’s time for #CateSineDie. Here’s how Kevin Cate, the media guru for which the annual parlor game is name after, put it Wednesday morning: “I love traditions and this is one […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has distributed a letter by Ben Watkins, director of the Division of Bond Finance, to the House and Senate budget chairmen, warning that cutting Visit Florida could damage the state’s credit rating. The letter, dated Tuesday, addressed to Jack Latvala in the Senate and Carlos Trujillo in the House, warns that cutting […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2017

With 10 days until the scheduled end of the 2017 Legislative Session and no allocations on the desk, it’s fair to say things are getting a little heated in Tallahassee. Case in point: An exchange between Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala and House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Larry Ahern on Twitter over the House’s […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2017

The LIBRE Initiative is calling on the Florida Legislature to put an end to corporate welfare. In a new Spanish-language digital ad, the organization calls on Floridians to contact their lawmakers and tell them “the game’s over; end this corporate welfare.” The 60-second spot is similar to one released earlier this month by Americans for […]

Staff ReportsApril 24, 2017

A Northwest Florida Republican plans to amend the Senate’s version of a bill to send millions of dollars to the Panhandle communities impacted by the 2010 BP oil spill to allow money to be spent on economic incentives. The Panama City News Herald reported this weekend that Sen. George Gainer said he plans to file […]

Staff ReportsApril 24, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron has rejected a House proposal to settle some $4 billion in state budget disagreements with a “continuation budget.” Negron said in a memo to senators Monday that House negotiators made the proposal over the weekend. “Despite serving as the Appropriations chair in both the House and Senate, I had never encountered […]

Staff ReportsApril 23, 2017

President Donald Trump has named employer relations expert Heather MacDougall of Melbourne to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Since January, MacDougall has been acting chair of the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama nominated her to the Commission in 2014, unanimously confirmed by the Senate. MacDougall brings 20 […]

Staff Reports
Capitol. Image via AP

Report: State workers to get pay raises, but changes to health benefits could be coming

From Argentina, Rick Scott keeps up the chatter for economic incentives

Florida House approves assignment of benefits reform legislation

A sign the end is near: It’s time to play #CateSineDie

Rick Scott enlists state bonds chief in fight for Visit Florida funding

Jack Latvala, Larry Ahern trade budget jabs on Twitter

LIBRE Initiative releases Spanish-language ad calling for end of ‘corporate welfare’

AFP-FL urges Senate to keep incentives out of Triumph Gulf Coast bill

Joe Negron says no to House’s proposed ‘continuation budget’ as talks stall

Donald Trump names Floridian Heather MacDougall to OSHA Review Commission