Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJuly 16, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation announced Friday that it was backing Destin Republican Rep. Mel Ponder’s re-election bid in Okaloosa County’s House District 4. “Representative Ponder is a successful small business owner and fought on behalf of the thousands of other small business owners throughout Florida during his first term in the House,” said FRF President/CEO […]

Jacob OglesJuly 15, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott filled a vacancy on the bench in Union County and appointed a number of college trustee positions this week. On Thursday, Scott named Mitchell D. Bishop to the Union County Court to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert Bo Bayer. Bishop, 36, of St. Augustine, is an Assistant […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

With the number of “qualified, active patients” surpassing 100,000, the Department of Health on Friday said it would finally start the process of issuing additional medical marijuana provider licenses. The four new “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC) licenses, however, will be issued “through a new rule,” the department added. That could mean a delay as the agency […]

Staff ReportsJuly 13, 2018

The Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 campaign on Friday announced another round of endorsements. They include current and former lawmakers, greyhound groups, editorial boards, animal welfare organizations, and a local animal shelter, the campaign said in a release. The group is promoting passage of Amendment 13, put on the November ballot by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). The […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

A new political committee called “Vote NO on 3” has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. A Division of Elections listing accessed Friday show the political committee (PC) is chaired by South Florida’s Isadore “Izzy” Havenick, whose family operates Magic City Casino in Miami and Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing & […]

Peter SchorschJuly 13, 2018

Volunteer Florida announced two recent changes to the organization’s leadership: — Gov. Rick Scott appointed David Mica Jr. to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Florida. — The Volunteer Florida Commission unanimously voted Autumn Karlinsky to preside as Chair for the 2018-19 year. “Volunteer Florida is always ready to support our local communities, especially […]

Staff ReportsJuly 13, 2018

Lone-greyhound-ready-to-race-Van-Abernethy-e1531488972242.png

Photo credit: Van Abernethy Greyhound Adopters for Racing, a new non-profit group, says it has “formed to share its unique perspective on racing greyhounds.” “Racing is not ‘cruel’ or ‘inhumane’ to the dogs,” the organization said in a press release sent Friday. Amendment 13, placed on the November statewide ballot by the 2017-18 Constitution Revision Commission, would outlaw […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2018

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Thursday saw Gov. Rick Scott issue an executive order protecting the public’s access to the beaches, days after two women left a Fort Walton Beach after law enforcement invoked a beach-access restriction bill, HB 631, to ask them to leave. The theory behind the enforcement action: that parts of what were formerly considered public beaches by customary use were […]

Drew WilsonJuly 12, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation announced Thursday that it is endorsing Gonzalez Republican Rebekah Bydlak in the race to succeed term-limited Rep. Clay Ingam in House District 1. “Rebekah is a successful and energetic candidate who has had the best interests of Floridians and business owners in mind during her professional career,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “Living […]

Jim RosicaJuly 10, 2018

State regulators have given up for now on a contentious rule requiring a hefty fee from medical marijuana suppliers. The Department of Health, which regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use, had first proposed in April a “supplemental licensing fee” of $174,844 from each provider. But the office on Monday, without explanation, announced it was […]

Influence
Image via WUFT News.

Florida Retailers back Mel Ponder for re-election

Rick Scott announces court, college trustee appointments

State may soon get more medical marijuana providers

Greyhound racing-ban group releases still more endorsements

New committee forms to fight gambling-control amendment

Personnel note: David Mica Jr. named CEO of Volunteer Florida

New group enters debate over greyhound-racing ban

Back to the beach: Rick Scott issues order protecting public access

Florida Retailers endorse Rebekah Bydlak for HD 1

Medical marijuana regulators withdraw licensing fee rule