Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 14, 2019

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) released its 2018 analysis last week of Florida sentencing laws and the effects on prison population. The report, commissioned internally by the Florida Legislature in its 2018 General Appropriations Act, makes several recommendations for reducing the state’s criminal justice costs by reducing prison population. The […]

Scott PowersJanuary 14, 2019

Florida’s economy might not be booming as robustly in 2019 as the past couple of years but talk nationwide of a possible recession this year probably won’t slow the state down too much. That’s the theme of the economic forecasts presented Monday morning at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Economic Outlook and Jobs Summit in Orlando, with […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 14, 2019

The event will be held at The Fish House in Pensacola.

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2019

Leaders in law, politics and business chimed in after news that Gov. Ron DeSantis had appointed appellate judge Robert Luck to fill a vacancy on the state’s Supreme Court: — Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody: “Judge Luck has distinguished himself in his service as a federal prosecutor, circuit court judge, and a judge on the Third District Court of Appeal. […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 14, 2019

Ballard Partners, one of the biggest lobbying firms in the Sunshine State and Washington, is opening a public relations branch. The lobby firm described the new venture, Ballard Media Group, as “a bipartisan, full service, multidisciplinary strategic communications division that brings together the talents of professionals with unrivaled real-world expertise.” Leading the operation are Raj […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2019

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday appointed Robert J. Luck, a judge on the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami, to the Florida Supreme Court. He’s the first Jewish justice to be named since Barbara Pariente was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1997. DeSantis announced the pick — first reported Sunday night by Florida Politics — at […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2019

Former All Children’s CEO Jonathan Ellen resigned immediately following the Times report.

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2019

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday will appoint Robert J. Luck, a judge on the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami, to the Florida Supreme Court. The Governor’s Office on Sunday night said DeSantis will “make a major announcement” at 10 a.m. in Miami. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez also is slated to attend. Three sources later confirmed to Florida […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 14, 2019

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Daniel McAuliffe, Jim Rosica, and Drew Wilson. We’re both from Pinellas County, about the same age, and run in some of the same circles, but Speaker-to-be Chris Sprowls and I aren’t like best friends. I get it: for those […]

Jacob OglesJanuary 14, 2019

When all four of Florida’s statewide officials granted full pardons to the Groveland Four on Friday, many heralded a righting of injustice. But for the family of Norma Padgett Upshaw, the news felt like a decades-old crime had been condoned. Charlene Padgett, Upshaw’s daughter-in-law, told Florida Politics on Saturday “that case was decided before we […]

Headlines
Mario Cristobal. Image via AP.

Legislative report identifies prison population reduction strategies

Florida Chamber Foundation forecasting mild slowdown, no recession

Matt Gaetz headlining Jason Shoaf fundraiser

Robert Luck’s Florida Supreme Court appointment garners reaction

Ballard Partners launches PR shop

Ron DeSantis selects Miami’s Robert Luck as next Supreme Court justice

Two families file court documents hinting at possible All Children’s suit over botched heart surgeries

Ron DeSantis to appoint Robert Luck to Supreme Court

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 1.14.19

Family of Norma Padgett stands by her accusation against Groveland Four