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

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2017

Sen. Rob Bradley isn’t giving up hope the 2017-18 state budget will include money for the Florida Forever conservation lands program. POLITICO Florida reported Tuesday that Bradley said the budget would include spending for Florida Forever, for Florida Keys wastewater projects, his proposed projects along the St. Johns River, and Senate President Joe Negron’s proposed […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

The Florida Legislature voted to send a trimmed-down version of a bill (SB 10) to build a water storage reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. A top priority for Senate President Joe Negron, the bill aims to divert toxic algae discharges from coastal communities. The measure prohibits the state from taking private property to build the […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

The Senate voted Tuesday to send a trimmed-down version of SB 10, Senate President Joe Negron’s Lake Okeechobee restoration plan, to Gov. Rick Scott. The 33-0 vote followed approval by the House earlier in the day. Under amendments adopted in the House, and accepted in the Senate, bonding authority to acquire land and construct reservoirs […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

CFO Jeff Atwater is saying farewell. In an open letter to Floridians on Tuesday, Atwater recounted his achievements as the state’s chief financial officer and thanked Florida residents for their confidence over the years. “From Pensacola to Key West, and all stops in between, I have had the unique privilege of meeting your families, hearing […]

Staff ReportsMay 2, 2017

Consumer sentiment among Floridians in April dropped 3.5 points to 95.7 from a record-high reading of 99.2 in March, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey. Despite the ups and downs in the index during the first four months of 2017, consumers are overall more optimistic compared with those same months in 2016. […]

Staff ReportsMay 1, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is no longer just a likely gubernatorial candidate. The Bartow Republican filed his paperwork Monday for a 2018 run to replace Gov. Rick Scott. He plans to make a formal announcement on the old county courthouse steps in Bartow at 11 a.m. on May 10, according to the Tampa Bay Times, […]

Staff ReportsMay 1, 2017

Daisy Baez has officially thrown her hat in the race to replace Frank Artiles. Baez, who was elected to the Florida House in November, filed her paperwork to run for Senate District 40, her campaign announced Monday. Baez will likely compete in a special election for the newly vacated seat. “I’m running for State Senate […]

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 Reports
Sen. Ashley Moody (right) fields questiosn about the space program during a town hall in Melbourne. Image via Ashley Moody.

Report: Rob Bradley says 2017-18 budget will include money for land conservation

Capitol Reax: Lake Okeechobee water storage reservoir

Joe Negron’s signature Lake Okeechobee project headed to governor’s desk

Jeff Atwater thanks Floridians in farewell letter

Florida consumer sentiment in April drops from record high

It’s official: Adam Putnam running for Florida governor

Daisy Baez files to run to replace Frank Artiles in SD 40

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