Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 19, 2015

A high-stakes multimillion dollar tug-of-war over funding for professional sports is now in overtime. A 14-member joint legislative budget panel on Thursday voted to delay a decision on whether to approve the ranking of four applications for state subsidies. Joint Legislative Budget Commission Chairman Rep. Richard Corcoran said he was opposed to awarding any incentive […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

This past Friday, St. Petersburg City Council convened for nearly three hours in an attempt to set up regulations to create a legal framework that would require Uber and Lyft to comply with ordinances regarding taxi cabs and limousines. It was the first time that local government had devoted a session to an issue that […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 19, 2015

The latest iteration of Jacksonville’s starstruck Police and Fire Pension deal got through two committees Wednesday. Ordinance 2015-54 was passed by Finance by a 5-2 margin, and the Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee passed it 5-1. The bill was slated to go to the Rules Committee Friday morning, which would have put […]

Melissa RossFebruary 19, 2015

Equality Florida’s Action PAC is out with its list of recommendations on candidates running for office in Jacksonville, based on whether or not they support expanding the city’s human rights ordinance to cover the LGBT community. Jacksonville is one of the only major U.S. cities left not to have codified protections against discrimination in jobs, […]

Melissa RossFebruary 19, 2015

Equality Florida’s Action PAC is out with its list of recommendations on candidates running for office in Jacksonville, based on whether or not they support expanding the city’s human rights ordinance to cover the LGBT community. Jacksonville is one of the only major U.S. cities left not to have codified protections against discrimination in jobs, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

To its supporters, it was a case of justice delayed but not denied, when on Thursday the Florida Board of Governor in Tallahassee unanimously recommended the state provide $57 million to USF to move its medical center to downtown Tampa. The next step in the process for the $153 million center to house the Morsani […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 19, 2015

As it passed its final committee stop on Thursday, state agriculture officials on Thursday defended a House water bill against the idea that it represents a power grab by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. HB 7003 has backing from agriculture, business and industry groups. The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday with three votes […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 19, 2015

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Last night, at the Ballots and Brews event hosted by the Jacksonville Young Voters Coalition at Intuition Ale Works in Riverside, I ran across Mayor Alvin Brown … very briefly. Most of the politicians and staff people there had time for extended chats, which was because they were there to message and network, even if off the record. Mayor Brown? Not […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 19, 2015

Sachs Media Group is creating some big buzz with Big Data. Florida’s leading communications firm announced today the launch of Breakthrough Research, a new division specializing in “Big Data” – broad and complex data sets – for public policy opinion research and campaign message testing. Leading the innovative Breakthrough Research group is Karen Cyphers, who […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 19, 2015

Joe Marino, a West Point graduate and leader of the Florida Defense Contractors Association, has taken the role of Chief Operations Officer for Florida is for Veterans, Inc. “Joe Marino brings a wealth of experience in working with Veterans’ issues from the non-profit sector, Florida state government experience and corporate recruiter for Veterans,” said Florida […]

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Joint Legislative Budget Commission punts on sports tax incentives

Matt Gaetz files legislation addressing Uber, Lyft

Jax City Council delays rules panel meeting, leaves pension deal hanging

Equality Florida’s Action PAC scores Jax candidates, doesn’t endorse only openly gay one

Equality Florida's Action PAC scores Jax candidates, doesn't endorse only openly gay one

State BOG all in for USF med school move to downtown Tampa

State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

Alvin Brown navigates a triangulation strategy

Karen Cyphers to lead Sachs Media new Breakthrough Research division

Personnel note: Florida is for Veterans names Joe Marino as Chief Operating Officer