Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 9, 2017

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has scored a preliminary win in his fight against the federal government over U.S. savings bonds he holds as unclaimed property. The U.S. Treasury has agreed to redeem “just over 1,000 bonds, worth a little more than half a million dollars, excluding accrued interest,” Atwater spokeswoman Ashley Carr said Thursday. The total value of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2017

With a mix of old and new, the annual Florida State Fair kicks off Thursday. In addition to obligatory references to artery-clogging fair fare by local reporters (Deep-fried butter! Spaghetti Ice Cream!), Opening Day of the Fair is the setting for the yearly Governors Day Luncheon, where every man and women in Hillsborough County who is […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday appointed Circuit Judge Robert J. Luck to the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami. Luck, 37, of North Miami Beach, has served as a circuit judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit since 2013. He previously was an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott reappointed Alan Abramowitz as head of the state’s child advocates program. The Governor’s Office announced the appointment Wednesday night for a term of Feb. 8, 2017-Feb. 8, 2019. Abramowitz, 54, of Tallahassee, has been Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program since 2010. Guardians ad litem represent the interests of children in court proceedings, especially […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 8, 2017

Senate Bill 2, the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act, and Senate Bill 4, Faculty Recruitment, both sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano Wednesday passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. “As these key bills continue to move through our committee process, I am encouraged by the feedback from and focus on our college and […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 8, 2017

Democrats skeptical about President Trump‘s repeated claims of voter fraud in last November’s election are now challenging him to add voter suppression and disenfranchisement to his administration’s pending investigation. On Super Bowl Sunday, Trump told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly that Vice President Mike Pence will be in charge of a commission to probe what he believes was voter fraud in the election, despite a […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

Four-term state Rep. Ben Albritton is launching a bid for Florida Senate. Albritton, the Wauchula Republican who represents House District 56, filed Wednesday for the Senate District 26 seat. SD 26 covers a wide swath of Central Florida from Charlotte and Glades counties through southern Polk County. Currently holding the seat is Denise Grimsley, the Lake Placid Republican […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 8, 2017

In its first week in office, the Trump administration froze new scientific grants at the Environmental Protection Agency. That fueled concerns amongst some in the scientific community that it will be a rough four years in Washington. Since the presidential election, more than 5,000 scientists, including many Nobel Prize winners, have signed an open letter urging President Trump and Congress […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 8, 2017

A Florida House committee advanced a bill Wednesday to implement statewide regulations on ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Sponsored by Republicans Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor and Jamie Grant of Tampa, HB 221 addresses issues that have been vexing state lawmakers for the last three Sessions. If passed, drivers would need to carry insurance coverage worth $50,000 for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 8, 2017

National Republicans, in an effort to boost their majority for the midterms, are targeting top House Democrats over the next two years – including Florida’s Charlie Crist and Stephanie Murphy. POLITICO first reported on the list of 36 lawmakers coming from the National Republican Congressional Committee, with a particular focus on “blue-collar parts of the […]

Headlines

Jeff Atwater wins first round of $1 billion bonds fight with feds

Politics, food and fun: Florida State Fair kicks off

Robert J. Luck elevated to appeals court judge

Alan Abramowitz reappointed head of Guardians ad Litem

Senate advances Excellence in Higher Education legislation

Charlie Crist wants Trump administration to look into voter suppression, disenfranchisement

Ben Albritton launches campaign for Denise Grimsley’s Senate seat

Bill Nelson says any attempt to intimidate scientists ‘must be stopped’

House advances bill for statewide ride-sharing regulations

Charlie Crist, Stephanie Murphy among top GOP targets for 2018