Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJune 25, 2015

Now the Special Session is finally over and the Legislature finally finished the budget they worked on long into the night. They handed it to the governor so he could have his way with it and put his pen to paper, signing it into law with one hand and slashing it with his veto pen […]

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 […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2015

One thing that became clear after news of the Tuesday Night Massacre broke is this: If Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, or for that matter Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, wants to win higher office in 2018, whether it be U.S. senator or governor, he must stand up to Gov. Rick Scott now. On Tuesday, Atwater challenged […]

Bruce RitchieJanuary 13, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to spend nearly $13 million on two conservation land buys in Southwest Florida including one with implications for Amendment 1 spending. Amendment 1 is the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by 75 percent of voters in November. A Senate committee last week began wrangling […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2014

Florida’s Cabinet members today endorsed former Republican Party of Florida chair Lenny Curry in the Jacksonville mayoral race. Each Cabinet member — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater – cited Curry’s conservative experience and success outside of politics. “For these three principled conservatives to offer their support […]

Bruce RitchieNovember 19, 2014

OK, 2015 actually could be the “year of water” in the Florida Legislature. Certain Capitol pundits earlier this year predicted that water would be a top issue during the 2014 session. But they were wrong because there wasn’t support in both chambers for dealing with the issue. The Senate passed a springs bill that would […]

Bruce RitchieAugust 27, 2014

COTTONDALE, Fla. — Few if any spring-breakers and beach-goers speeding south on U. S. Highway 231 toward Panama City Beach realize they’re passing one of the largest producer of wood pellets in the United States. The wood pellet industry says it’s producing a sustainable alternative energy source and cleaner alternative to coal. But an increasing […]

Daniel TilsonAugust 6, 2014

“Let’s Keep Florida Beautiful” is the name of Gov. Rick Scott’s new environmental plan unveiled this week on his website and in multiple public appearances. Team Scott took a “timing is everything” approach to the proposal, introducing it just as news was breaking that billionaire businessman and climate change activist Tom Steyer is targeting the […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 30, 2014

In one of Bill Mauldin’s many memorable World War II “Stars and Stripes” cartoons, two Army officers stand on a cliff overlooking a picturesque French valley as sunlight streams through the clouds. “Beautiful view,” says one to the other. “Is there one for the enlisted men?” That cartoon came to mind the other day as […]

Dan GelberFebruary 2, 2014

Maybe it’s because people who go to soup kitchens tend not to vote in large numbers, or don’t write six and seven figure checks to his re-election campaign. Maybe it’s because he figures impoverished children should show some industry and simply rummage through the garbage for their vegetables. Or maybe it’s because he just doesn’t care. But […]

Tag: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam

Gary Stein: What have tax cuts really accomplished?

State agriculture officials defend House water bill, deny power grab

P.S. … If Jeff Atwater wants to win in 2018, he needs to stand up to Rick Scott in 2015

Cabinet approves land-buying projects as Adam Putnam touts conservation alternative

Lenny Curry endorsed by Florida Cabinet for Jax Mayor

Bruce Ritchie: Water will become a top issue in 2015 with the help of Amendment 1

Bruce Ritchie: Debate heats up about wisdom of burning wood for energy

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott’s 2014 environmental self-protection plan

Martin Dyckman: King Ranch scandal shows why you need newspapers

Dan Gelber: Scott’s decision to cut money for food programs is just mean