Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonAugust 21, 2017

Republican HD 89 candidate Matt Spritz announced another wave of legislative endorsements Monday got his campaign to replace term-limited Rep. Bill Hager in the Palm Beach County seat. Northeast Florida Reps. Bobby Payne and Tom Leek added their names to the list of sitting legislators supporting Spritz, which also includes Byron Donalds, Alex Miller, and […]

Staff ReportsAugust 21, 2017

The second quarter proved to be a busy one for Paul Hawkes. Hawkes had a roster of 16 legislative and 13 executive branch clients helped him bring at least $130,00 — $75,000 for legislative work and $55,000 for executive branch work — during the three-month period. He could earn a maximum of $249,977 — a maximum of […]

Scott PowersAugust 21, 2017

Democratic state Sen. Perry Thurston has filed legislation to make historic educator Mary McLeod Bethune the replacement for Confederate Army Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith as one of Florida’s two statutes in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall in Washington D.C.. The statute of Smith is definitely its way out, thanks to Senate Bill 310, which was passed by […]

Peter SchorschAugust 18, 2017

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Richard Reeves, a veteran lobbyist who founded his own firm before joining another that merged with GrayRobinson last year, now is leaving the firm, he told Florida Politics Friday. “I wanted to be out on my own again,” he said in a phone interview. “The opportunity to work with Dean (Cannon) was tremendous. He’s a great […]

Scott PowersAugust 17, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran released his committee assignments for the 2018 Legislative Session Thursday with just a few changes from 2017, notably some freshmen getting vice chairmanships and new chairs for the Ways and Means and Commerce Committees. Corcoran’s changes in committees look more like mid-term adjustments for the two-year term, rather than the wholesale […]

Staff ReportsAugust 17, 2017

The two-person firm of Paul Sanford and Jane Hennessy earned at least $165,000 for legislative work during the second quarter of 2017. The duo could earn a maximum of $199,993 for their legislative services, according to an analysis of compensation reports conducted by FloridaPolitics.com Lobbyists who are registered to represent clients before Florida’s legislative or […]

Staff ReportsAugust 17, 2017

Being small firm doesn’t mean you can’t pack a lot of punch; just ask Louis Betz & Associates. The two-man team of Louis Betz and Travis Mitchell juggled 25 legislative clients and 11 executive branch clients during the second quarter, which included the second half of the 2017 Legislative Session and a brief special session. […]

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2017

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Lantana Democratic Rep. Lori Berman sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott Thursday asking him to call a special session to replace Florida’s statue of a Confederate General at the National Statuary Hall in Washington. Each state gets two slots to fill in the statuary hall and Florida’s current picks are Dr. John Gorrie of […]

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2017

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Art Graham and Ronald Brisé on Thursday won nominations to be returned to their seats on the Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities in the state. If selected, both men would serve third terms; each was first appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2010. The Public Service Commission Nominating Council also decided on six people […]

Peter SchorschAugust 17, 2017

A top Uber executive in Florida has been named to the Board of Governors of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC). Cesar Fernandez, the ride-booking company’s Miami-based Senior Public Policy Associate, is joining the board, said Julio Fuentes, the chamber’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Cesar’s breadth of experience in political and government affairs […]

Influence
Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

HD 89 candidate Matt Spritz touts more endorsements from GOP lawmakers

Paul Hawkes could report Q2 earnings of more than $249K

Perry Thurston files bill to put Mary McLeod Bethune’s statue in Capitol

Personnel note: Richard Reeves departs GrayRobinson to start own firm

Richard Corcoran releases new committee assignments

Paul Sanford & Associates earns more than $165K in Q2 lobbying fees

Louis Betz & Associates could earn $239K in Q2 lobbying fees

Lori Berman wants special session to yank Confederate statue from D.C.

Art Graham, Ronald Brisé win nominations to be returned to PSC

Personnel note: Cesar Fernandez appointed to Hispanic Chamber board