Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 15, 2017

Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer, whose office prosecuted thousands of cases during his tenure ranging from terror plots to billion-dollar Ponzi schemes to purveyors of prescription drug “pill mills,” announced Wednesday he will resign after nearly seven years. Ferrer, 50, said in a news release he will step down as South Florida’s top federal prosecutor […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 15, 2017

Among the attributes that supporters of Coconut Grove developer Stephen Bittel offered in the race to become the new chairman of the Florida Democratic Party was his talent for fundraising. In listing his slate of accomplishments one month into his tenure, the FDP issued a statement on Wednesday touting that he has raised half a million […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 15, 2017

Despite heavy opposition from much of the hospital and hospice industry, a bill that would repeal Florida’s Certificate of Need (CON) program advanced in a House subcommittee on Wednesday. Currently, health care providers require a certificate of need prior before building or converting hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. The proposal (HB 7) sponsored by Sarasota […]

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 […]

Headlines

Miami U.S. attorney announces resignation from post

Newly-minted Florida Democrats leader Stephen Bittel says he’s raised $500,000 in first month on the job

Bill to repeal Certificate of Need program advances in Florida House

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