Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 7, 2016

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS… ADAM PUTNAM PRESENTS FLORIDA-GROWN TREES TO GOVERNOR, CABINET — Agriculture Commissioner Putnam presented Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and CFO Jeff Atwater with Florida-grown Sapphire Christmas trees Tuesdaymorning. The governor lit the […]

Associated PressNovember 30, 2016

The son of Opa-locka’s mayor is the latest person to face charges in a federal corruption investigation involving the South Florida city. The Miami Herald reports that Mayor Myra Taylor‘s son, 41-year-old Demetrius Corleon Taylor, surrendered to the FBI Tuesday morning. He pleaded not guilty to a corruption charge at a Tuesday afternoon hearing. Taylor […]

Associated PressNovember 27, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump claimed without evidence Sunday that “millions” voted illegally in the national election, scoffing at Hillary Clinton‘s nearly 2 million edge in the popular vote and returning to his campaign mantra of a rigged race even as he prepares to enter the White House in less than two months. Trump and his lieutenants […]

Associated PressNovember 21, 2016

The chamber of the Florida Senate is reopening after a $6 million upgrade. Outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner showed off the renovated chamber on Monday. Workers spent the last eight months tearing out carpet, replacing desks and installing a new stained glass dome and new wood columns. The state motto of “In God We Trust” […]

Michael MolineNovember 21, 2016

Florida House Democrats formally elected Janet Cruz of Tampa as their leader Monday, but the vote hadn’t even happened before she faced her first setback — reportedly placing Minority Staff Director Joe McCann on leave for unspecified reasons. Cruz is the first Hispanic leader of the caucus and will serve through 2018. The Democrats elected Rep. Bobby Dubose […]

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2016

The new rules of the Florida House of Representatives, among other things, will increase the ban on former members lobbying their colleagues from two years to six years, and prohibit state representatives from flying in aircraft owned, leased, or otherwise paid for by lobbyists. That’s according to a final copy of the rules, released Thursday […]

Michael MolineNovember 10, 2016

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is having trouble retaining actuaries, aides to Gov. Rick Scott learned Thursday, as a raft of state agencies presented their budget requests for the next fiscal year. The office is asking for $31.6 million for FY 16-17, including $488,651 to boost its actuarial firepower, agency budget director Richard Fox said. […]

Larry GriffinNovember 8, 2016

In House District 42, Mike La Rosa beat opponent Benny Valentin to win his seat again, with a five-point lead that is impressive considering the massive financial differences between their campaigns. The race between the two was never financially close, with La Rosa reporting contributions upwards of $200,000 and Valentin only coming up with about $7,000 with $8,000 […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2016

Note: a previous version of this piece asserted a connection between the family of Jacksonville CAO Sam Mousa and J.B. Coxwell. That connection was limited to Mousa having been an employee in the past. No current connection exists. We regret the error. Duval County and Jacksonville were spared the absolute worst of Hurricane Matthew’s fearsome […]

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2016

For nearly two decades, Tallahassee was the front line of an epic battle — the so-called “Eyeball Wars” — between Florida’s optometrists and ophthalmologists. On one side were optometrists — college educated to provide diagnoses and correct vision problems — fighting to perform surgery and prescribe medications beyond topical ointments and creams. Ophthalmologists, supported by […]

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Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics – 12.7.16

Mayor’s son charged in South Florida city’s corruption investigation

Donald Trump assails recount push, claims millions voted illegally

Florida Senate reopens chamber after $6 million upgrade

Florida House Democratic caucus elects first Latina leader

Richard Corcoran rolls out new rules, says House will ‘set the standard for others’

State agencies outline spending hopes with tight budget looming

Incumbent Mike La Rosa wins back HD 42 seat from Benny Valentin

Jacksonville continues ‘aggressive’ approach to post-Matthew cleanup

Are optometrists going back on their word in ‘Eyeball War’ truce?