Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Eric Lynn, a senior Obama administration adviser in the Defense Department, has declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Florida District 13 next year. That’s the seat currently occupied by Republican incumbent David Jolly, who was initially elected last spring in a special election to succeed the late Bill Young. “I’m running […]

Bruce RitchieApril 7, 2015

A bill that would allow the Cabinet to give away state land on Tuesday passed its only committee stop with changes requested by environmental groups. HB 7135 would establish “low-impact agriculture” as a management goal for state lands. The bill also would allow the Cabinet to give away state parks and other state lands to […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 7, 2015

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday delayed Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong‘s confirmation after he refused to answer Medicaid questions. Panel members asked him whether expanding Medicaid would improve Floridians’ health care outcomes or whether he supported the Senate’s alternative proposal to expand Medicaid. Sen. Aaron Bean asked Armstrong to return soon and […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2015

John Morgan is a serious person. He certainly spent serious money trying to pass Amendment 2 in 2014. He sounds serious, sometimes even emphatic. And sometimes sounding serious is all one needs to get their friends and enemies to act the way they want them too. At least that’s what Morgan hopes. Elected officials pay […]

Phil AmmannApril 7, 2015

A Catholic student group and two colleges are the latest organizations to voice support for the fight for statewide discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Winter Park-based Rollins College joins a coalition of 30 major Florida employers, including the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, in supporting the Competitive Workforce Act. The […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2015

Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 742. As Sen. Nancy Detert pointed out, “ticket wars” happen session after session. The battle has traditionally been viewed as a power struggle between Ticketmaster and StubHub. This year, things have changed. Sen. Wilton Simpson amended his bill in committee and stated that with the changes, this […]

Phil AmmannApril 7, 2015

Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission has stepped up the legislative battle in Tallahassee against ridesharing technology firm Uber. HCPTC head Kyle Cockream confirmed on Monday the retention of the high-powered and politically connected firm Capital City Consulting. CCC’s efforts are in addition the PTC’s main representatives, Corcoran & Johnston. The decision to expand the county lobbying team […]

Associated PressApril 7, 2015

U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson is trying again to convince a judge that his 24-year marriage to his wife should be voided because she was married to another man when they wed. The outspoken Democratic congressman from Orlando was back in a Florida courtroom Tuesday to continue his bigamy claim against his wife. A hearing on […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Will there be a transit tax referendum placed on the 2016 Hillsborough County ballot? That question remains uncertain more than a year and a half out, which is why the ongoing public outreach effort called, “Go Hillsborough,” is so important. The effort has consisted of a series of public forums and some telephone town halls […]

Melissa RossApril 7, 2015

A certain city in Texas is known by three simple words: “Keep Austin Weird.” Chicago is the Second City. New Orleans, post-Katrina, is still music and fun and good times. Even little ol’ Chattanooga, Tennessee is making strides in creating a definable brand. In other words, cities across the country know the value of branding (just as […]

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Democrat Eric Lynn is running against David Jolly in 2016

Amended state lands bill passes committee, heads to House floor

Medicaid questions stall John Armstrong’s confirmation in Senate

Is John Morgan serious?

2 colleges, Catholic law school group join fight for Competitive Workforce Act

In ticket wars, consumers deserve a transparent purchasing process

Hillsborough PTC antes up, adds more high-powered lobbyists

Round 2 in bigamy hearing for Alan Grayson

New report on Hillsborough transit users puts “maintenance” as top priority

One Spark: Jacksonville’s big branding opportunity