Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

The other day Mason-Dixon did a poll on the 2016 Florida U.S. Senate race, and its content was somewhat pedestrian. Pedestrian in the respect that it only put forth four names: Marco Rubio and Jeff Atwater for the Republicans; Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Patrick Murphy for the Democrats. With more than a year and a half until the […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 12, 2015

The Florida Times-Union, First Coast News, and WJCT Public Broadcasting will host the first televised Jacksonville mayoral debate, which will take place at WJCT Studios 7 to 8 p.m. today. The debate involves the three major mayoral candidates: incumbent Democratic Mayor Alvin Brown, City Councilman Bill Bishop, and former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry, who received the […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 12, 2015

10544368_10152793892657499_3598083921463370461_n-1024x1024.png

You’ve seen them from afar for some time now: candidates for the Jacksonville sheriff’s post, or for the mayor’s office, or maybe even a City Council seat. They all look so good! But how to get to know them? One way to get to know the candidates will be offered on Monday by JCCI Forward and the Jacksonville […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2015

A Mason-Dixon poll publicized by the Florida Greyhound Association finds that nearly seven out of 10 Floridians are opposed to turning increasingly out-of-fashion dog racing tracks into casinos — at least without a referendum. “Floridians are sending a loud message to the Legislature: Don’t turn greyhound tracks into casinos on your own,” said Jim Blanchard, president […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 12, 2015

A strike-everything amendment awaits the House telehealth bill in the House Health Quality Subcommittee on Thursday. The amendment, offered by bill sponsor Rep. Travis Cummings, does not make the bill identical to the Senate measure, CS/SB 478. But the amendment does address a new issue in the telehealth debate: regulation of telehealth products. The House strike-all […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 11, 2015

Former Rep. Jimmy Patronis wants senators to know he can serve on the Florida Public Service Commission and still help run his restaurant in Panama City Beach. PSC Commissioner Julie Brown wants you to know that last fall she didn’t vote for gutting utility energy conservation goals. Both commissioners are going through Senate confirmation for […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 11, 2015

A recurrent criticism of Jacksonville City Council President Clay Yarborough is that he has played politics with the Police and Fire Pension deal that Mayor Alvin Brown and his team have been trying to get through. Council keeps delaying discussion of the measure. As our Kevin Meerschaert reported Tuesday night, Yarborough raised concerns about “mortality tables” that show that retirees are […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2015

A smoldering battle in the Florida Legislature over the manner in which four major tobacco companies will have to pay up to more than 4,000 claimants has taken an early step towards its climax: Bills by Sen. Garrett Richter and Rep. David Santiago have escaped the Session slush pile and been referred to committees in both […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

A former legislative affairs director in the Rick Scott administration is heading to General Motors to head the automobile giant’s lobbying efforts in Florida. Marlene Williams, 28, will be the new Southeast Regional Manager of State Government Relations, effective Monday. Williams’s role will be to direct state legislative issues affecting GM in the Southeast Region. Based in Tallahassee, Williams will […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

A former legislative affairs director in the Rick Scott administration is heading to General Motors to head the automobile giant’s lobbying efforts in Florida. Marlene Williams, 28, will be the new Southeast Regional Manager of State Government Relations, effective Monday. Williams’s role will be to direct state legislative issues affecting GM in the Southeast Region. Based in Tallahassee, Williams will […]

Uncategorized

Mitch Perry Report for 3.12.15 — Charlie Crist for Senate?

Jacksonville mayoral candidates debate tonight on television

Interested in speed dating with Jacksonville candidates?

Poll: Floridians oppose converting dog tracks into casinos

Strike-all amendment awaits telehealth bill in House

Jimmy Patronis, Julie Brown slide through committee stop toward PSC confirmation

Bill Scheu: Jax Council President Clay Yarborough needs to step down

Bills to alter tobacco settlements achieve footing in process

Personnel note: Former Rick Scott admin staffer Marlene Williams to lead GM’s Florida lobbying efforts

Personnel note: Former Rick Scott admin staffer Marlene Williams to lead GM's Florida lobbying efforts