January 2017 - Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 31, 2017

Barclay Harless is enjoying a strong start to his bid for St. Petersburg City Council. In the first week since announcing, the local banker and community leader has received more than 100 individual contributors to his campaign for District 2, which represents most of northern St. Pete and the Gandy area. “We are running a […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott officially rolled out his nearly $83.5 billion budget during the Associated Press’ annual legislative planning session Tuesday. — “AIF applauds Governor Scott’s proposed budget that fights for the future of employers and employees in our Sunshine State. His proposed spending plan, which includes $618 million in tax cuts and $85 million for […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

The Western Union Co. will pay $5 million and provide consumer warnings to resolve a multistate investigation into complaints that con artists used its money-transfer services to facilitate fraud. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the settlement Tuesday with 49 states, including Florida, and the District of Columbia. The money will cover investigation costs. In addition, […]

Associated PressJanuary 31, 2017

On any given day at MacDill Air Force Base, web crawlers scour social media for potential recruits to the Islamic State group. Then, in a high-stakes operation to counter the extremists’ propaganda, language specialists employ fictitious identities and try to sway the targets from joining IS ranks. At least that’s how the multimillion-dollar initiative is […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 31, 2017

Ballard Partners is extending its reach, announcing it is opening an office in Washington, D.C. Brian Ballard, the firm’s president, announced this week Ballard Partners has opened an office in the nation’s capital. The announcement comes just weeks after President Donald Trump, who Ballard supported, took the oath of office. “There is great enthusiasm with […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agrees with Gov. Rick Scott that Florida’s next governor should have “business experience.” “I think someone having business experience that they bring to public life is very helpful,” said Putnam, who spoke to reporters after a speech at Tuesday’s Associated Press annual Legislative Session planning session at the Capitol. In a recent […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

The Legislature can’t limit the amount of attorney fees to be paid out of money it OKs for a claim bill, a narrowly divided Florida Supreme Court decided. The 4-3 opinion was one of nine in an unusual out-of-calendar release from the court this Tuesday. The Supreme Court normally releases opinions 11 a.m. on Thursdays. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 31, 2017

Florida Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon considers 2nd Amendment arguments to be about philosophy and he’d much rather talk about running from house parties when shots break out or watching from behind a car while the man on the other side is shot dead. “This is my reality,” Braynon told a room full of journalists […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 31, 2017

There are three local bills that the Duval County Legislative Delegation have to carry this session. Two of them involve relaxed restrictions for drinking. Rep. Tracie Davis will sponsor those. And one involves governance of the Duval County School Board, a subject that inspires drinking. Rep. Jason Fischer, an alumnus of the school board, will sponsor […]

Michael MolineJanuary 31, 2017

The Associated Press, Florida Press Association, and Florida First Amendment Foundation have entered the legal battle over whether the state’s Sunshine Law covered the organization behind the state’s workers’ compensation premium increase. In a friend-of-the-court brief, the three accused the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, of employing “an evasive device” to get around […]

Month: January 2017

Barclay Harless starts off strong in St. Pete City Council bid

Capitol Reax: Rick Scott’s proposed 2017-18 budget

Western Union settles complaints that it facilitated fraud

MacDill ‘WebOps’ employees center of botched online fight against Islamic State

Ballard Partners going national, opens D.C. office

Adam Putnam agrees: Business experience essential for governor’s job

Supreme Court: Attorneys can collect fees for claim bill work

Oscar Braynon: gun legislation is about ‘reality not philosophy’

Duval Delegation talks local bills, hears from Melissa Nelson

Press organizations file brief in workers’ compensation rate hike appeal