Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJuly 22, 2017

The dog days of summer are here. While July is generally considered one of the slowest months in Florida politics, that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. Two special elections in South Florida mean election season is already in full swing, and 2018 hopes are keeping pace, even with rising temperatures. And with […]

Peter SchorschJuly 21, 2017

An organization representing the interests of Florida’s private colleges and universities released a “presidential honor roll” thanking some of the state’s top lawmakers for the historic increase in financial aid for Sunshine State students in the 2017 Legislative Session. The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida lobbies on behalf of about 30 private not-for-profit schools […]

Phil AmmannJuly 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott announced eight appointments and reappointments this week to a variety of Florida judicial, state boards, and commissions. 11th Judicial Circuit Court Scott began by naming Judge Lourdes Simon to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Simon, 49, of Miami, currently serves as county judge for Dade County. She previously served as an Assistant […]

Associated PressJuly 20, 2017

A Florida lawmaker says basic necessities such as toilet paper and soap are being withheld from inmates in some prisons in the state. On a weekend visit to Tomoka Correctional Institution near Daytona Beach, Miami Beach Rep. David Richardson found inmates without toilet paper, soap and pillows. One cell block had roaches and rats. He […]

Peter SchorschJuly 20, 2017

Florida Trend released its 2017 Best Companies to Work for in Florida list this week and lobbying and regulatory law firm Meenan P.A. made the top-10 in the small companies category. Meenan was the highest-ranked Tallahassee-based company in the rankings and was one of only two legal-lobbying firms in the 2017 rankings. West Palm Beach-based […]

Jim RosicaJuly 20, 2017

A medical marijuana nursery is asking a Tallahassee judge to allow it to step in on a case over the state’s new law governing the drug. Canadian-based DFMMJ Investments, which inked a deal to take over operations of Chestnut Hill Tree Farm, filed a “motion to intervene” earlier this week with Circuit Judge Karen Gievers. Sarasota’s TropiFlora is […]

Staff ReportsJuly 19, 2017

Eighteen people have applied for three openings on the state’s Public Service Commission, according to a list released Tuesday. Tuesday was the deadline to apply for the seats now held by Commissioners Art Graham and Ronald Brisé, which are up at the end of the year. Both men have reapplied for their positions; they were last reappointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2013. Applications for a […]

Associated PressJuly 18, 2017

Florida schools can comply with the state’s new recess mandate without having to take children outside. The Florida Department of Education on Friday told school superintendents that there’s nothing in a new state law that dictates where recess must take place. State legislators earlier this year passed a law that requires elementary schools to set […]

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2017

State Rep. Tom Goodson, a Brevard County Republican, is among 14 applicants so far for vacancies on the state’s Public Service Commission, according to a preliminary list released Monday. The terms of Commissioners Art Graham and Ronald Brisé are up at the end of the year, but both men have reapplied for their positions. They were last reappointed by Gov. Rick […]

Mitch PerryJuly 17, 2017

The national crime rate in the U.S. has been steadily declining since for two decades and is currently at its lowest rate since 1968. Likewise, Florida’s crime rate has dropped over the past few decades, but it is still 15 percent higher than the national average. And its imprisonment rate is 23 percent higher than the […]

Influence

What Florida politicos are reading this summer

Private university advocacy group honors Florida lawmakers

Rick Scott makes eight judicial, state board appointments

Florida prisons deny inmates soap, toilet paper

Florida Trend names lobbying firm Meenan P.A. one of “Best Companies to Work for in Florida”

Medical marijuana grower wants in on challenge to pot law

18 apply for openings at Public Service Commission

State: Schools can hold recess inside classrooms

Tom Goodson, others apply for Public Service Commission

Report: Florida’s imprisonment rate is 23 percent higher than the national average