Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 1, 2017

President Donald Trump has nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Gorsuch, 49, serves on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, where he has made a name for himself as a graceful writer. Gorsuch is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, and served as a law clerk […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

The Western Union Co. will pay $5 million and provide consumer warnings to resolve a multistate investigation into complaints that con artists used its money-transfer services to facilitate fraud. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the settlement Tuesday with 49 states, including Florida, and the District of Columbia. The money will cover investigation costs. In addition, […]

Associated PressJanuary 31, 2017

On any given day at MacDill Air Force Base, web crawlers scour social media for potential recruits to the Islamic State group. Then, in a high-stakes operation to counter the extremists’ propaganda, language specialists employ fictitious identities and try to sway the targets from joining IS ranks. At least that’s how the multimillion-dollar initiative is […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agrees with Gov. Rick Scott that Florida’s next governor should have “business experience.” “I think someone having business experience that they bring to public life is very helpful,” said Putnam, who spoke to reporters after a speech at Tuesday’s Associated Press annual Legislative Session planning session at the Capitol. In a recent […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

The Legislature can’t limit the amount of attorney fees to be paid out of money it OKs for a claim bill, a narrowly divided Florida Supreme Court decided. The 4-3 opinion was one of nine in an unusual out-of-calendar release from the court this Tuesday. The Supreme Court normally releases opinions 11 a.m. on Thursdays. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 31, 2017

Florida Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon considers 2nd Amendment arguments to be about philosophy and he’d much rather talk about running from house parties when shots break out or watching from behind a car while the man on the other side is shot dead. “This is my reality,” Braynon told a room full of journalists […]

Michael MolineJanuary 31, 2017

The Associated Press, Florida Press Association, and Florida First Amendment Foundation have entered the legal battle over whether the state’s Sunshine Law covered the organization behind the state’s workers’ compensation premium increase. In a friend-of-the-court brief, the three accused the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, of employing “an evasive device” to get around […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 31, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is recommending a $163 million increase in funding for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in his proposed 2017-18 budget. LobbyTools reports that the boost will bring the DEO budget to nearly $1.27 billion. Scott announced his budget proposal Tuesday morning at a Tallahassee news conference. Scott’s ask includes $85 million in economic incentives […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

Consumer sentiment among Floridians in January ticked up another one-half point to 97.8 — the highest reading since March 2002 — from December’s record-breaking revised figure of 97.3, according to the latest University of Florida consumer survey. Florida’s upward trend also tracks the national figures released last week by the University of Michigan, with the […]

Scott PowersJanuary 31, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is proposing cutting $156 million in state funding for Tri-Rail development unless the South Florida Regional Transit Authority reverses its decision to award a controversial half-billion contract to a lone qualified bidder. Scott’s proposed 2017 state budget now includes an item calling for “no funding” until the authority withdraws, cancels or otherwise […]

Headlines

Donald Trump nominates Judge Neil Gorsuch to Supreme Court

Western Union settles complaints that it facilitated fraud

MacDill ‘WebOps’ employees center of botched online fight against Islamic State

Adam Putnam agrees: Business experience essential for governor’s job

Supreme Court: Attorneys can collect fees for claim bill work

Oscar Braynon: gun legislation is about ‘reality not philosophy’

Press organizations file brief in workers’ compensation rate hike appeal

Rick Scott spending plan sets DEO budget at nearly $1.3B

Florida consumer sentiment continues upward climb

Rick Scott budget proposing cutting $156 million from Tri-Rail over contract