Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 5, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court rejected a request to invalidate a proposed solar-power constitutional amendment that’s supported by power companies. The court made its decision Friday, four days before the election and after 5.2 million votes had already been cast by mail and at early voting sites. The challenge came after a leading proponent of Amendment […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2016

Over the years, the Hispanic community has grown to be a major force within the U.S. economy. In 2015, the Hispanic population in the United States spent $1.3 trillion on consumer products — a number that’s projected to grow to $1.7 trillion by 2020. Over time, Hispanic Americans have developed a strong presence across a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 3, 2016

The Tampa Bay Times posted a timely story yesterday by Steve Bousquet about election-time misinformation. In the piece, “Rumors, myths, and half-truths cloud Florida’s election,” Bousquet muses, “Whatever it is, people in Florida seem more suspicious than ever about the election.” The irony is that reporting by the Times, or at least some of its brethren, aren’t helping […]

Drew WilsonOctober 31, 2016

The committee backing Amendment 1 took in $3.5 million in contributions last week, including another $3 million from utility companies. Consumers for Smart Solar received $2 million from Florida Power & Light, $1 million from Duke Energy, and $250,000 each from conservative retirement group the 60 Plus Association and from a group called “Let’s Preserve […]

Scott PowersOctober 27, 2016

Miss-Florida-Courtney-Sexton-at-Everglades-Foundatino-event.jpg

With algae blooms, the future health of the Everglades, $1.2 billion in state doc stamp tax money, an enormous reservoir project, entrenched sugar interests, a heretofore dormant Florida constitutional amendment, the united opinion of more than 200 scientists, and a recalcitrant — but changing — political environment, a lot is riding on the NowOrNeverglades bus […]

Mitch PerryOctober 27, 2016

Attorney and Senate District 18 Democratic candidate Bob Buesing boasts on the campaign trail he is a proud signer of the Now Or Neverglades Declaration, so it’s not exactly a surprise he is receiving the endorsement of the Everglades Trust. Buesing was one of 18 candidates running in local, state, and federal races in Florida next month who received the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2016

A pivotal hearing in a lawsuit over the state’s environmental funding is coming up in December. Lawyers for the Legislature and environmental advocacy groups are set to argue over a summary judgment motion Dec. 5 before Circuit Judge Charles W. Dodson in Tallahassee. Granting such motions allows parties to win a case without a trial. Florida Wildlife […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 24, 2016

Listen up, Parrotheads. Jimmy Buffett released a video weighing in on two ballot amendments over the weekend. Buffett encouraged Floridians to vote no on Amendment 1, a solar power initiative, and yes on Amendment 2, the medical marijuana initiative. “It’s obvious what’s going on,” said Buffett in the video. “Vote no on 1.” Amendment 1 is […]

Staff ReportsOctober 24, 2016

The committee backing Amendment 1 took in another $560,000 between Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, all of it from Florida Power & Light. Consumers for Smart Solar has now raised more than $22 million this cycle and had about $1.5 million of that money on hand Oct. 14. FPL has donated about $6.1 million of […]

Peter SchorschOctober 23, 2016

Back before there was a FloridaPolitics.com and it was just me blogging at SaintPetersBlog.com, I would write a semi-regular screed about the Tampa Bay Times’ political coverage. This was so long ago, the Times still had St. Petersburg in its masthead. I gave up the “5 things I think I think…” column after a while […]

Tag: Amendment 1
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Florida Supreme Court won’t toss out solar ballot question

Javier Palomarez & Julio Fuentes: Yes on Amendment 1: Small business supports solar, fair policies for all

Even after bungled math mea culpa, Times/Herald still offering inaccurate information about solar amendment

Solar Amendment 1 committee takes in another $3.5M, now at $25M raised

Everglades Foundation takes its NowOrNeverglades tour to Florida roads

Everglades Trust endorses Bob Buesing in the SD 18 race

December hearing set for environmental Amendment 1 lawsuit

Jimmy Buffett encourages Floridians to vote no on solar power amendment

Solar Amendment 1 backers raise another $560K, now at over $22M

5 things I think I think about today’s Tampa Bay Times