Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsAugust 2, 2018

In what he called a “continued effort to bring clarity to cryptocurrency in Florida,” Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Thursday announced that Ken Lawson, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, would be his “cryptocurrency advisor.” The role is an unpaid consulting position; Lawson will remain full-time at VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s public-private marketing tourism agency. “He will lead […]

Michael MolineAugust 2, 2018

The Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause that five lobbying firms filed inaccurate financial disclosure reports for 2016. The evidence turned up in random audits of executive branch lobbying firms, the commission said Thursday. The panel cited evidence that Andrew J. Liles filed an inaccurate compensation report during all four quarters of 2016. State records […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

‘Don’t give up,’ supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing are telling volunteers. A Tallahassee judge on Wednesday ruled that Amendment 13 shouldn’t go on the November ballot, calling it “outright ‘trickeration‘ ” — which opponents have since turned into a social media hashtag and rallying cry. Among other things, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ 27-page order said the amendment’s […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Mark Kruse has been elevated from Policy Coordinator to Legislative Affairs Director for Gov. Rick Scott, replacing Kevin Reilly. As Legislative Affairs Director, he will be Scott’s chief liaison to lawmakers as the term-limited governor prepares to leave office in January. “Kevin Reilly was instrumental in so many of Gov. Scott’s outstanding legislative achievements over the past two sessions […]

Ryan NicolAugust 2, 2018

State Rep. Jared Moskowitz is out with a letter to Gov. Rick Scott, urging him to sign an Executive Order banning 3D-printed guns in the state. “The threat posed by the distribution of plans for these weapons, and the possession of the weapons themselves, is a true public emergency,” said Moskowitz. The “emergency,” as Moskowitz […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

State Rep. Chuck Clemons is appealing a federal judge’s decision not to toss out a lawsuit against him because he blocked a constituent from his official social media. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of the Northern District of Florida had denied the Newberry Republican’s motion to dismiss in May. While Clemons appeals Walker’s ruling to the 11th […]

Staff ReportsAugust 1, 2018

More than five dozen greyhound adoption groups in the U.S. and Canada — including 14 in Florida — have formally opposed a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending commercial dog racing in the state. Greyhound Adopters for Racing, which also opposes the ban, released the announcement Wednesday. Its statement said the number of groups “reflects the breadth and […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 31, 2018

After requesting State Attorney Phil Archer investigate and potentially prosecute a Brevard County Commissioner for campaigning while on duty, state Rep. Randy Fine is following up with Gov. Rick Scott‘s office, requesting Scott appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the matter. The reason? Fine now understands Archer already had endorsed the commissioner in question, Curt Smith, […]

Michael MolineJuly 31, 2018

Property tax revenues will remain stable during the next few years, according to state economic forecasters — meaning no big surprises there when the Legislature gets to work on the next state budget. The Florida Revenue Estimating Conference met Tuesday morning to review trends in “ad valorem” tax receipts. Final numbers were expected later in […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 31, 2018

A pro-choice coalition that opposed a law expanding the state’s hand in crisis pregnancy centers that do not offer abortion services isn’t giving up the fight despite the law already coming into effect. Representatives from Progress Florida, the Florida National Organization for Women and the Florida Interfaith Coalition for Reproductive Health were in Tallahassee on […]

Influence

CFO Jimmy Patronis taps Ken Lawson as ‘cryptocurrency advisor’

Ethics Commission finds evidence lobbyists filed inaccurate disclosure reports

Dog-racing ban supporters say they’re still ‘full steam ahead’

Personnel note: Mark Kruse named Rick Scott’s new Legislative Affairs Director

Jared Moskowitz asks governor to ban 3D-printed guns

Chuck Clemons appealing in social media ‘blocking’ case

Over 60 greyhound adoption groups oppose racing ban

Randy Fine requests Rick Scott’s help to investigate local commissioner

Florida’s property tax outlook: ‘No bad news coming’

Activists call on state to ‘aggressively regulate’ anti-abortion centers