Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

As at least one key lawmaker pushes to open Florida’s coming medical marijuana industry to a free market and the current seven licensed companies fight to keep it tight, a new advocacy group is emerging saying it wants to help develop a middle ground. Smart Medicine For Florida will be pushing for regulations that would assure quality, safety, […]

William PatrickFebruary 15, 2017

As the debate over whether to fund or eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida escalates at the Florida Capitol, it’s important to consider that those who directly benefit from the mostly taxpayer-funded organizations are among their most vocal supporters. It’s natural, and predictable. It’s also entirely appropriate that incentives and tourism marketing recipients have the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2017

House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz said Wednesday that it was “not at all surprising” that the Center for Immigration Studies is now listed as an “active hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Last month, five Democratic members of the House Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee walked out after the center’s head, Mark Krikorian, […]

Associated PressFebruary 15, 2017

Andrew Puzder says he is withdrawing as President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary. The fast food executive says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was “honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

The operators of South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter train are sticking to their guns, defending their process that disqualified five of six bidders for a half-billion dollar contract, and hoping to win back angry state leaders who want to cut their state funding over the matter. “Right now, we’re moving forward. We followed a process, and we […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2017

Democratic US Sen. Bill Nelson announced in a Wednesday press release that he had filed legislation to increase water flows into Apalachicola Bay. Florida and Georgia have long been at odds over water rights to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Rivers, with the most recent lawsuit by Florida dating to 2013. Georgia has seen its reliance on the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 15, 2017

The Central Florida citrus industry appears to be coming out in full force to support Sen. Denise Grimsley’s bid for Agriculture Commissioner. Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception Florida’s Natural Grove House in Lake Wales on Feb. 28. While the invitation notes a host committee is still being formed, the backers listed on […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

President Donald Trump will be holding a rally in Melbourne Saturday afternoon in what is essentially a re-election campaign stop being promoted by his campaign. Team Trump-Pence, the successor to Donald J. Trump for President, announced the president’s rally would be at a 5 p.m. event at the AeroMod International Hangar at Orlando-Melbourne International Airport. The appearance […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

With all but an OMG! reference, House Democratic Leader Pro-Tempore Bobby DuBose has challenged House Speaker Richard Corcoran to share anything he has to back up claims that terrorists have likely infiltrated Muslim refugees in Florida. DuBose sent a letter Tuesday to Corcoran and copied several key Republican lawmakers urging the speaker to “share with […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 15, 2017

Addressing what he called the “obvious elephant in the room,” Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson criticized Florida House members who backed an effort to end economic incentive programs, calling the move political. “I want to be blunt for a few minutes,” said Wilson. “This is not a Legislature trying to seek how to diversify the […]

Headlines

New group seeks to steer medical marijuana between control, free market

Assessing Visit Florida beneficiaries’ assertions, predictions and anecdotes

Florida Dems troll House GOP’ers after invited speaker’s org named to hate groups list

Andrew Puzder withdraws nomination for labor secretary

Tri-Rail sticking with, defending, controversial $500M, one-bid contract

Bill Nelson files bill to help Florida in ‘water war’ with Georgia

Agriculture industry lining up behind Denise Grimsley for ag commissioner

Donald Trump rally in Melbourne confirmed

Bobby DuBose challenges Richard Corcoran’s ‘terrorists’ comments

Mark Wilson calls House push to eliminate Enterprise Florida ‘a political conversation about ideology’