Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannDecember 9, 2015

Florida State Parks have come under fire recently, and the Department of Environmental Protection decided it’s time to “set the record straight.” A new DEP email takes exception with several recent media accounts, each inaccurately “perpetuated misconceptions” about the future of Florida State Parks. “As these stories are being driven by false allegations based on […]

Mitch PerryDecember 9, 2015

Speculation still has it that there could be more candidates to enter the Florida U.S. Senate race, and a new survey of that race out on Wednesday from St. Leo University Polling Institute shows why that scenario persists. A majority of voters surveyed – 56.5 percent – say they are unsure who they prefer in […]

Mitch PerryDecember 9, 2015

Donald Trump continues to lead in the GOP presidential race in Florida, according to a new poll released Wednesday by St. Leo University Polling Institute. The NYC businessman is at 30.6 percent, up nearly 5 percent points from a similar survey conducted in October. Marco Rubio is in second place with 15 percent, a drop of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Adam Putnam is in his second and ostensibly last term as Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner and “loves” the job so much he won’t comment on his future political aspirations – despite the open secret that he’s the GOP heir apparent to the Governor’s Mansion in 2018. Asked to clarify his future plans, Putnam again punted on the 2018-and-beyond […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Wednesday said he won’t object if lawmakers approve a bill putting him in charge of regulating fantasy sports play in the state. Putnam spoke to reporters during an informal “pen and pad” question-and-answer session in advance of the 2016 Legislative Session that starts Jan. 12. State Sen. Joe Negron […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 9, 2015

Much has been made of the latest comments of GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump regarding Muslims entering the United States, made in reaction to President Barack Obama’s address to the nation Sunday night. However, those close to the Trump campaign, such as Florida Co-Chair Susie Wiles, are not concerned that his comments will impact his […]

Mitch PerryDecember 9, 2015

Tampa area state Rep. Jamie Grant said Wednesday he’s not backing away from his Monday tweet calling Donald Trump‘s proposed ban on Muslims from entering the country a “a fascist proposal.” “The answer to immigration problems in this country is not fascism. It’s not registries of people who look a certain way or believe a certain thing,” […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott has told reporters he’ll “respect the decision” of the Legislature about the deal he struck with the Seminole Tribe of Florida renewing exclusive rights to offer blackjack at its casinos in return for $3 billion over seven years. Scott briefly answered questions after this week’s Cabinet meeting in the Capitol on Tuesday […]

Phil AmmannDecember 9, 2015

Quietly, with little fanfare, Marco Rubio has single-handedly shaken the foundation of the Affordable Care Act, putting President Barack Obama’s signature health care law into question. First reported by Robert Pear of The New York Times, the Florida senator and presidential candidate last year slipped in a little-noticed provision into a massive spending bill, which […]

Associated PressDecember 9, 2015

The United States won’t elect a president until next year but the debate over the crowded field of candidates jostling for the Oval Office emerged as the hottest topic on Facebook this year. The race for the Democratic and Republican party nominations eclipsed an outpouring of emotions over deadly attacks, strife, social issues and disasters. […]