Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2017

Though education was rarely discussed by Donald Trump on the campaign trail, at the top of his list of priorities was to spend $20 million on school choice, which would come from “reprioritizing federal dollars.” In picking Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos to serve as his Education Secretary, he made it clear that intended to make school […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio‘s concerns regarding Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin took center stage in Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday when he grilled Rex Tillerson over whether the secretary of state nominee believes Putin is a war criminal, and whether he believes Putin was directly involved in cyber attacks to affect the 2016 American election. Tillerson […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2017

As the race for Republican Party of Florida chair heads into its final days, Blaise Ingoglia and Christian Ziegler are proposing new plans to try to persuade fellow executive members to vote for them this Saturday. Ziegler is the 34-year-old Sarasota County Committeeman challenging Ingoglia’s re-election bid. He introduced a new website called The GOPExchange, a place Ziegler says […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2017

As new allegations arise charging details of Russian interference in the American presidential campaign, Florida’s U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio joined a bipartisan group of senators to unveil a bill calling for comprehensive sanctions on Russia for cyber intrusions, aggression, and destabilizing activities. Rubio, a Republican, was joined by Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, Arizona Republican John McCain, New Jersey Democrat […]

Associated PressJanuary 11, 2017

A legal journey that could mean life or death for the suspect in the Florida airport mass shooting has begun with appointment of a public defender to represent the Iraq war veteran blamed for killing five people and wounding six more. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia Valle told Esteban Santiago, 26, at a hearing Monday that […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2017

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson has made it clear what had been strongly rumored for the past month now – he’s firmly behind Coconut Grove real estate developer and Democratic party donor Stephen Bittel in the race for the Florida Democratic Party Chair position. “I have known Stephen Bittel for over 30 years and believe he will be an extraordinary Chair of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2017

When you try to manage a multi-billion-dollar state budget with three-decade-old software, problems are bound to happen. An audit has found security flaws in the Department of Financial Services‘ antiquated FLAIR accounting system, according to a report released Friday. (FLAIR stands for “Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem.”) The department is run by Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 10, 2017

Matilde Miller will take the helm of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — at least temporarily. Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday Miller was named the interim secretary of DBPR, replacing former Secretary Ken Lawson. “Matilde has spent many years at DBPR serving in numerous leadership positions and understands how important it is to […]

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 […]

Headlines

Randi Weingarten doesn’t share Jeb Bush embrace of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary

Marco Rubio grills Rex Tillerson on Russia: Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?

Blaise Ingoglia, Christian Ziegler introduce new plans as Florida GOP chair race approaches

Marco Rubio, bipartisan group of Senators, throw down gauntlet on Russia

Life or death legal journey for airport shooting suspect

Bill Nelson now officially backing Stephen Bittel to lead Florida Democrats

Audit uncovers flaws in state’s accounting system

Rick Scott selects Matilde Miller to serve as interim DBPR secretary

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

Contractors mount defense of assignment of benefits agreements