Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2015

The big political issue in Jacksonville right now is the Police and Fire Pension Fund. The fund in its current condition is unsustainable and a drain on public resources: virtually every candidate and office holder agrees on that issue. The disagreement is on how to handle it. Mayor Alvin Brown‘s administration has advanced a proposal, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2015

The big political issue in Jacksonville right now is the Police and Fire Pension Fund. The fund in its current condition is unsustainable and a drain on public resources: virtually every candidate and office holder agrees on that issue. The disagreement is on how to handle it. Mayor Alvin Brown‘s administration has advanced a proposal, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Miami Herald staff writer Julie Brown has won the 2014 George Polk Award for Justice Reporting for her series of articles on brutal treatment and deaths of inmates in Florida’s prison system. Brown shared the award with two New York Times reporters, Michael Schwirtz and Michael Winerip, who also focused on abuse in New York […]

James CallFebruary 16, 2015

Four school board members from across the state have organized as an alternative to the Florida School Board Association. The Florida Coalition of School Board Members is disgruntled by the FSBA support for a lawsuit against a tax credit scholarship program by the Florida Education Association. The state has sought dismissal of the cased, arguing […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 16, 2015

Six hospital chief executives from across the state will hold a press conference Tuesday to discuss findings of a study about the shortage of physician specialists by region in Florida during the next 10 years. State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, will join the hospital CEOs along with the residency […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2015

The 2016 Republican presidential field will have little problem finding veteran hands in Florida. Everybody knows Brett Doster, Randy Enwright, David Johnson, Marc Reichenfelder etc. will end up be gainfully employed this cycle. The last few GOP bumper crops — including 2010 and 2014 — though, have produced talented operatives, some perhaps off the radar of the […]

James CallFebruary 16, 2015

It may be a tax cut but it’s not about the money. Sen. Renee Garcia and Rep. Jay Fant on Monday begin their push for a Small Business Saturday Tax Holiday. Their proposal is a tax break for purchases at smaller independently owned stores on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It would provide a $20 million […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2015

With the general election just five weeks away, Jacksonville residents are starting to get to know the candidates as they prepare to choose their city officials. A lot of races present choices without much real ideological difference. One race where the delineation is stark, though: the At-Large Group 1 City Council race, in which an […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2015

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Speaking at a chilly Tampa International Airport, Gov. Rick Scott and Tampa Bay tourism officials hailed the record-breaking number of visitors to Florida this past year, but the governor also acknowledged it will take more than just tourism to drive the Florida economy. There were 97 million tourists who visited the Sunshine State in 2014, exceeding […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Whip out the checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as a new week begins with a handful of legislators’ re-election fundraisers. State law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so every week leading up to the 2015 Session will offer a number of fundraising receptions. Many of them are mere steps from the Florida Capitol. […]

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Jacksonville's police, fire pension fuss gets Tallahassee cold shower

Jacksonville’s police, fire pension fuss gets Tallahassee cold shower

Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown wins Polk Award for prison abuse series

Lawsuit spawns rival state school board association

Hospitals set to release report on physician shortages by specialty, region

5 Florida political operatives GOP presidential candidates should hire — now

Renee Garcia and Jay Fant: Small business tax holiday is about building community

Anna Brosche brings fresh face for Jacksonville City Council

In Tampa, Gov. Rick Scott touts new tourism numbers, lobbies for manufacturer tax cut

Get your checkbooks ready this week for several political fundraisers