Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannAugust 30, 2017

Tim Knowles, a founding member of the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, is stepping down from the board of directors after two decades of service. The Alliance is a leading statewide group to help secure state funding for clubs working to create positive experiences for Florida children. Knowles is a 65-year-old Bradenton native […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2017

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, says it is supporting House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “efforts on (tourism money) transparency and accountability.” In a letter to Corcoran sent Tuesday by foundation President Barbara Petersen, the group responded to Corcoran’s recent “comments in the Orlando Sentinel regarding the need for […]

Phil AmmannAugust 29, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Sean White is no longer listed as a legislative analyst in the Senate Majority Office. On: Angela Herndon became administrative support for the House Government Accountability Committee and its subcommittees (Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs; Natural Resources […]

Staff ReportsAugust 28, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags at half-staff to commemorate the passing of former state Sen. Greg Evers. Evers, 62, a strawberry farmer and Republican who represented Senate District 2 from 2010-16, died last week in a one-car accident near his home in unincorporated Baker, Okaloosa County. He previously served in the House 2000-10. “As a […]

Mitch PerryAugust 28, 2017

Republican candidate for governor Jack Latvala, who’s been aggressive in saying that Florida needs to do more to deal with the exploding opioid epidemic, on Monday called on Gov. Rick Scott to fund another $20 million to address the problem. Latvala, a Clearwater state senator and Appropriations Committee chair, also is calling on Scott to immediately […]

Peter SchorschAugust 28, 2017

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Florida’s top Republican lawmakers are lending a helping hand to the GOP nominees in three special elections going down this fall, according to fundraising invitations sent out Friday. A fundraiser benefitting Republican Rep. Jose Felix Diaz’s Senate bid is set for Sept. 14. Senate President Joe Negron and the two Senators in line to succeed […]

Peter SchorschAugust 27, 2017

On Friday, it was announced that President Donald Trump had nominated Republican state Representative Carlos Trujillo to serve as a U.S. representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations. POLITICO Florida and other news outlets reported that Trujillo’s nomination would prompt Gov. Rick Scott to call a special election to replace Trujillo in House […]

Phil AmmannAugust 25, 2017

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 12 appointments to a variety of state boards. Task Force on Affordable Housing Scott began by naming five people to the Task Force on Affordable Housing, formed in 2017 to develop recommendations for discussing the state’s affordable housing needs. Jack Humburg, 60, of Saint Petersburg, is the executive vice […]

Terry RoenAugust 25, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran sent letters Friday to 12 tourism development councils that severed ties with Visit Florida demanding accountability and transparency in the way they spend taxpayer dollars. Visit Orlando is one of the 12 councils that cut ties with Visit Florida, after the state marketing agency was criticized for spending $1.25 million to […]

Peter SchorschAugust 25, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott on Friday named Vivian Myrtetus as the next CEO of Volunteer Florida. Myrtetus will assume the role of CEO beginning Sept. 1, the Governor’s Office said in a news release. The previous CEO, Chester Spellman, left Volunteer Florida effective Friday to become Director of AmeriCorps for the Corporation for National and Community Service in […]

Influence

Personnel note: Tim Knowles stepping down from FL Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

First Amendment Foundation backing Richard Corcoran on transparency

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Rick Scott: Flags at half-staff for Greg Evers

Jack Latvala: State needs to spend $20 million more on opioid crisis

Fundraisers set for three GOP special election candidates

Tapped for U.N. post, Carlos Trujillo to remain in Florida House; will still oversee budget cmte.

Rick Scott announces 12 state board appointments

Richard Corcoran accuses tourism councils of hiding taxpayer-financed activities

Personnel note: Vivian Myrtetus named new CEO of Volunteer Florida