Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

CoreMessage on Monday announced the promotion of Carrie Patrick to Senior Manager of Advocacy and Operations, and Brianna Shoaf to Account Manager. Patrick has more than 16 years of experience in the communications, policy, legislative, state government and private industry arenas. During her time at CoreMessage, Patrick has managed multiple state and federal public relation […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 22, 2018

Rep. Jared Moskowitz has filed legislation creating the “Retired Military Working Dogs Program.” “If enacted, the program would allow the Department of Military Affairs to contract with a not-for-profit to provide retired military working dogs with veterinary care,” according to a Monday news release. The Coral Springs Democrat filed the bill (HB 1253) earlier this month; it has been referred […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced the appointment of four new trial-court and appellate judges: — J. Andrew “Drew” Atkinson to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. Atkinson, 44, of Tampa, is now the General Counsel for the Department of Management Services. A native of the Tampa Bay area, he previously practiced with the […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

Beth Goldberg most recently has been Assistant Director for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), capping a regulatory career spanning three decades. Now, she’s taking that expertise to Florida’s GrayRobinson law firm as the newest member of its Nationwide Alcohol Industry Team. “The alcohol business is one of the most heavily regulated industries in […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2018

Rep. Kathleen Peters announced on Saturday morning she was withdrawing her bid to join the Public Service Commission (PSC), citing the need to fight St. Pete’s plan to pump wastewater underground. Peters, a Treasure Island Republican, relayed her decision in an email. “I felt that my experience in business, local and state government, and as Chair of the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2018

A modified version of a constitutional ‘bill of rights’ for residents of Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities won approval by its only review committee on Friday. The Declaration of Rights Committee approved the proposal (P88) by a vote of 5-2, sending it to the full Constitution Revision Commission for consideration. But the measure […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2018

A proposed constitutional amendment to give equal rights to crime victims on Friday cleared its only review panel and heads to the full Constitution Revision Commission. The amendment, if OK’d for the 2018 statewide ballot and passed by 60 percent of voters, includes the right “to refuse an interview, deposition, or other … request by the defense,” […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 18, 2018

Florida voters aren’t fans of Assignment of Benefits rules and are looking for a change according to a new poll conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Assignment of Benefits, or AOB, allows homeowners to sign over their insurance policy rights to third-party contractors who will make necessary repairs to damaged homes and then deal […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 18, 2018

There was a slew of committee meetings at the Capitol Thursday, but the public stage outside committee halls belonged to those pushing for LGBT protections in private businesses and state offices, two arenas where such discrimination is not explicitly barred by state law. A sizable group of bipartisan lawmakers attended a press conference on Thursday in […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2018

A proposal to allow the automatic restoration of non-violent ex-felons’ voting rights cleared a Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) committee on Thursday. The CRC’s Ethics and Elections Committee OK’d the measure (P7) by a 6-2 vote. “If successful, Smith and Joyner’s proposal would bring Florida in line with most of the states in the nation that already allow […]

Influence
Dozens of vehicles were torched in a fire at a Jacksonville International Airport fire in a garage May 16. Image via Jacksonivlle Aviation Authority.

Personnel note: CoreMessage promotes team members

Jared Moskowitz files bill to help retired military dogs

Gaveling in: Rick Scott appoints new judges

Personnel note: Beth Goldberg joins GrayRobinson

Kathleen Peters bows out of contention for PSC seat

Nursing home residents’ bill of rights wins approval

Crime victims’ bill of rights clears lone constitutional review panel

Florida voters want to reform AOB system, Chamber poll finds

Legislators want laws, executive order protecting LGBT rights

Voting rights proposal advanced by constitutional review board