Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 12, 2015

No one has ever denied that the lobbying industry is a zero-sum game. When a bill passes or dies, some lobbyists win, some lose. Refrains of “Just wait until next year” are as familiar to the profession as they are in major league sports. Likewise, when a majority of one firm’s roster decides to cross […]

Associated PressFebruary 12, 2015

The nation’s casino industry has announced plans to target presidential battleground states in the upcoming election in a first-time campaign for political support. The American Gaming Association says the effort will tout its ability to create job as it urges White House contenders to support gambling interests. The step into the mainstream, called “Gaming Votes,” […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2015

Florida’s aerospace sector will be featured in Tallahassee next month, as lawmakers and industry reps take part in Florida Space Day 2015. Industry representatives will visit the Capitol on March 25 for the annual event to tell legislators about the many opportunities aerospace offers both statewide and for the national space program. “The business of space […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 12, 2015

I admit it, I fell for it hook, line and sinker. But so, too, did Marc Caputo of Politico and Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. The con? That U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has developed an elaborate fall-back plan to run for Florida governor in 2018 if he a) runs for president and does not win or b) chooses […]

Bob SparksFebruary 12, 2015

As the 2015 legislative session approaches, committees and sub-committees are pouring over hundreds of bills. Some of these bills are good ideas, while others are not so good. There is another category for bills that reflect a reasonable idea, but one whose time might be in the future. The latter best describes House Bill 227 […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 12, 2015

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When you attend a House appropriations subcommittee where a chairman’s budget proposals are being unveiled, you might expect to hear some tough questions from Democrats and Republicans. And you might be disappointed, at least by the subcommittee that deals with environmental and agricultural spending. Most of the debate I hear in the House occurs only […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 12, 2015

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The fifth resolution before the U.S. House of Representatives in its first meeting in January was overwhelmingly defeated along a pure party-line vote of 238 Republicans saying “no” and 160 Democrats nodding “yes.” The issue affected the five “nonvoting” members of Congress representing four Trust Territories and the District of Columbia. House Resolution 5 would […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2015

NextEra Energy, the Juno Beach-based clean energy company and owner of Florida Power & Light, has joined the fight for fair, equitable and competitive workplaces throughout the state. Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce announced the addition of NextEra in its campaign for passage of House Bill 33 and Senate Bill 156, known as the […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2015

With less than 72 hours left until the end of open enrollment, Floridians still have an opportunity to pick up health coverage through Florida’s Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment ends Sunday. “It’s not too late to get covered. Floridians will find affordable, comprehensive plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.MyFloridaChoices.org,” Florida Health Choices CEO […]

James CallFebruary 12, 2015

Count Florida TaxWatch among those supporting schoolwide averaging rather than the specific number of students in a class for compliance with Florida’s class-size amendment. The government watchdog group Thursday said the state could save billions of dollars by adjusting the way it calculates the number. TaxWatch has produced two research papers on the subjects available here and here. […]

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6 lobbyists at Pennington, leave for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Gambling industry targets presidential battleground states

Florida Space Day blasts off in Tallahassee on March 25

Peter Schorsch: Rubio for governor? That's a wolf ticket

Bob Sparks: GOP should embrace and shape online voter registration

Bruce Ritchie: Even if budget-writing is unfair, asking tough questions is key

Joseph Carter: House action ensures 4 million U.S. citizens have no vote

NextEra Energy joins fight to pass Florida Competitive Workforce Act

As deadline looms, Floridians still have time for health insurance

Florida TaxWatch projects billions in savings with class-size tweak