Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 10, 2017

As everyone knows, Rick Scott has always been about adding jobs to the rolls since getting elected Governor of Florida in 2010. And since it helps to have a good education to get a good job, he’s been similarly focused in recent years on making it more affordable for Floridians to get a degree. Continuing […]

Michael MolineJanuary 10, 2017

Home repair contractors lashed out against calls for a crackdown on assignment of benefits agreements during testimony before a key Senate committee Tuesday, insisting such contracts protect homeowners and reputable remediation businesses. They argued instead for increased regulation of their industry, to put fly-by-night contractors out of business. “Would you please regulate us?” said Dave […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 10, 2017

Rick Scott says he doesn’t have an opinion on whether or not he’d support a law that would allow licensed gun owners to carry guns in airport terminals. The question came to him on Tuesday, four days after 26-year-old Army Veteran Esteban Santiago, who is accused of killing five people at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 10, 2017

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State Rep. Kionne McGhee is calling for a proposed memorial in Florida to honor victims of slavery. The Miami Democrat filed HB 27, which, if passed, would instruct the Department of Management Services to build a Florida Slavery Memorial on the Capitol Complex grounds beginning July 1, 2017. According to the language of the bill: […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 10, 2017

According to Kratom advocates, Godwin’s Law makes bad law, as a state representative’s comments undergo sustained scrutiny. Florida State Rep. Kristin Jacobs, a Democrat from Coconut Creek who filed legislation to outlaw Kratom components, caused outrage in the community of Kratom advocates Monday by saying their advocacy for the palliative properties of the plant reminded […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 10, 2017

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In anticipation of Rex Tillerson’s confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. Secretary of State on Wednesday, NextGen Climate is airing ads in Florida and five other states this week, telling viewers to contact their senators to oppose Tillerson when his nomination comes before the entire U.S. Senate. Tillerson is the longtime CEO of ExxonMobil who […]

Associated PressJanuary 9, 2017

The Iraq war veteran held in the fatal shooting of five people inside Fort Lauderdale’s airport was appointed a federal public defender on Monday after telling a judge that he has no job and only $5 or $10 in the bank. Esteban Santiago, 26, spoke clearly during a brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 9, 2017

…Well probably not, but he is going to guest lecture for former Gov. Jeb Bush. Fineout, a Capitol Press Corps fixture, posted Monday on his Facebook page he was heading to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas later this week. That’s where he’ll be “a guest speaker” at the university’s Bush School of Government and […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2017

Freshman Congress members, led by Rep. John Rutherford (a former Jacksonville sheriff), called for President Barack Obama to “light the White House blue” on Monday. The significance is obvious: the blue light denotes support for law enforcement on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is Monday. This support is especially critical in the wake of the assassination of a […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2017

Former Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli announced today he will not run for state Commissioner of Agriculture in 2018. The Republican from Merritt Island, who was speaker 2014-16, was widely expected to mount a statewide bid for the cabinet post, but like his predecessor in the Speakership – Will Weatherford – family priorities won out. “After much consideration […]

Headlines

Rick Scott introduces proposal to keep higher education affordable for Florida students

Contractors mount defense of assignment of benefits agreements

Rick Scott is non-committal whether he would sign a bill allowing Floridians to carry guns in airport terminals

Kionne McGhee files House bill for a Florida Slavery Memorial

Godwin’s law makes bad law, claim Kratom advocates

NextGen Climate running ad in Florida against Rex Tillerson’s nomination

Airport shooting suspect gets public defender in court

Will Gary Fineout leave reporting for academia?

House freshmen to Pres. Obama: light the White House blue

Steve Crisafulli decides against run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018