Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsNovember 14, 2017

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced that Anna Alexopoulos Farrar will join the Department of Financial Services (DFS) as Communications Director. In this capacity, she will oversee the communications strategy for the department. Patronis said: “Anna is a seasoned communications professional whose experience in both the government and private sectors brings a fresh perspective to […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2017

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The Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled a legislative roadmap outlining its focus areas ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session, which starts Jan. 9. The organization held a press conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. “Year after year, the Florida Chamber has been at the forefront of solving issues that impact the competitiveness and future of […]

Staff ReportsNovember 14, 2017

Veteran lobbyists Chip Case and Foyt Ralston have formed a new firm, Capitol Advocates, to represent clients before the Legislature, executive branch agencies, and in Washington, according to a news release. “In today’s political climate, clients need advocates in the Capitol who have the expertise to work with policymakers in all branches of government, and […]

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala‘s legal team said Monday that Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee where a complaint was filed against the Clearwater Republican, should recuse herself from the Senate sexual harassment investigation because she violated the chamber’s privacy rules. “Senator Benacquisto’s public comment regarding the alleged complaint is a material breach of […]

Staff ReportsNovember 13, 2017

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott announced seven appointments and reappointments to a variety of Florida boards and commissions. Florida Board of Pharmacy Scott began by appointing two to the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Dr. Jeffrey Mesaros, 40, of Orlando, is the senior legal counsel of pharmacy practice for CVS Health. Mesaros received his doctor of […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2017

Traffic gridlock is the present for major Florida cities, but does it have to be the future? A bill (“the Florida Smart City Challenge Grant Program”) filed Monday in the Florida Legislature would offer state grant money, via the Florida Department of Transportation, as incentive for local solutions to transportation challenges. The House iteration, HB 633, was […]

Staff ReportsNovember 13, 2017

Get your checkbooks ready, PAC chairs and Tallahassee uber-lobbyists for a handful of fundraisers for legislative candidates planned for this week. — On Monday, Nov. 13, Plantation Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book will be holding a fundraiser beginning 5:30 p.m. at Old Fields Plantation, 396 Booth Lane in Monticello. Book is seeking a second term […]

Peter SchorschNovember 13, 2017

Brevard County Republican Rep. Randy Fine added $23,000 between his campaign and committee accounts last month, giving him with $86,573 on hand at the end of October. Fine raised $20,500 of the money through his re-election campaign in House District 53. Making the donor roll for October were Anheuser-Busch, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Southern […]

Ana CeballosNovember 13, 2017

The attorney representing a woman who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Sen. Jack Latvala says she has not discarded the possibility of taking the case to court if a conflict of interest arises in the Senate investigation. “Anything could happen at this point, it is still very early to tell,” Tallahassee-based attorney Tiffany Cruz […]

Ana CeballosNovember 10, 2017

A day after the Agency for Health Care Administration was criticized for erroneously claiming in a press release that five nursing home facilities had not met a key deadline in Gov. Rick Scott’s emergency generator rule, the agency said it prompted an “excellent result” with facilities submitting their information. The Florida Health Care Association, though, […]

Influence
John Thune, John Barasso and Mike Crapo. Image via AP.

Personnel note: Anna Alexopoulos Farrar named DFS communications director

Florida Chamber wants an end to AOB, ‘gotcha’ lawsuits in 2018

Personnel note: Chip Case, Foyt Ralston start Capitol Advocates

Jack Latvala’s attorney wants Lizbeth Benacquisto to recuse herself from probe

Rick Scott announces seven state board appointments

‘Smart Cities’ grant would incentivize local transportation innovation

Get your checkbooks ready for this week’s legislative fundraisers

Randy Fine raises $23K for HD 53 re-election in October

Attorneys in Jack Latvala probe start building strategies

After generator rule deadline passes, AHCA’s tactic draws confusion