Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayAugust 3, 2015

The Florida arm of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity has issued its annual legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislators based on their propensity to vote “pro-economic freedom.” The group graded all 160 state lawmakers based on their votes on economic issues. Votes considered in favor of deregulation were rewarded, whereas votes that reined in industry […]

Guest AuthorJuly 27, 2015

For decades, conservatives have lamented federal subsidies in American farm policy accruing to Big Sugar. Strangely, the wailing falls silent south of the Georgia border. In Tallahassee, the glad-handing and back slapping by Big Sugar for its supporters is ubiquitous. The application of sugar money to lobbyists’ and lawyers’ net worth statements, contributions to lawmakers, […]

Mitch PerryJune 18, 2015

A sizable percentage of the 100,000 or so entertainment industry professionals in Florida feel let down this week. The Legislature once again refused to include money in the state’s $80 billion budget for tax incentives to lure Hollywood to film in the Sunshine State. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” said Gus […]

Ryan RayMay 28, 2015

Conservative political group Americans for Prosperity-Florida told FloridaPolitics.com Thursday afternoon that it will target legislators supportive of a FHIX-style health care expansion plan with a new mail piece portraying the ongoing Senate-driven negotiations as a “game.” The mailers feature the number to Senate President Andy Gardiner‘s district office in Orlando and exhorts recipients to “Tell Andy Gardiner […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 26, 2015

The Senate on Tuesday announced a series of changes it will make to its plan to expand health care access to upward of 800,000 low-income Floridians who would qualify for Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. In a prepared statement Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott said that he still opposes Medicaid expansion as set for […]

Phil AmmannMay 18, 2015

When Debbie Dooley makes a case for solar power, she isn’t falling back on the same old environmental arguments. The Tea Party firebrand from Woodstock, Ga., talks about property rights, national security, and the free market. To Barry Goldwater Jr., the former Republican congressman, support for solar energy is a conservative stance against power utilities […]

Mitch PerryMay 14, 2015

Marco Rubio is being lauded in some quarters Thursday morning for the way he handled the inevitable question on Iraq that was posed by Charlie Rose at the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday afternoon. “Not only would I not have been in favor of it, President Bush would not have been in favor of […]

Mitch PerryMay 7, 2015

The enormously wealthy and powerful Charles and David Koch, better known as the Koch Brothers, have become an increasingly influential team in recent years as they spend their money on causes (and candidates) they support. But in progressive, and even independent circles, their name has been invoked as representing something almost sinister polluting the body […]

Phil AmmannApril 30, 2015

As a proposed solar energy initiative gains steam in Florida, an interesting rhetorical battle is also heating up: Americans For Prosperity (AFP) against the Tea Party fringe. The latest bombast comes from Debbie Dooley, described by American Spectator columnist Jon Cassidy as a “Tea Party eccentric and advocate for solar energy.” Dooley is the outspoken […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2015

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli’s abrupt decision to gavel the 60-day legislative session to a close three days before its scheduled end because of a budget impasse with the Senate affects loads of important legislation. For the members of Florida’s economy that work in the TV/movie and digital entertainment industry, it could be a devastating blow. That’s […]

Tag: Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity picks annual “Champions of Economic Freedom” of 2015 Session

Alan Farago: Big Sugar has conservatives chasing their tails

Film incentive tax bill again dies on cutting room floor in Tallahassee

First look: Americans for Prosperity chides Senate FHIX plan in new mailers

Senate alters health plan but fails to win over critics

Strange bedfellows: Conservative solar supporters funded by traditional green groups

Mitch Perry Report for 5.14.15 — Foreign policy fun with Jeb and Marco

American Bridge’s new report details Koch Brothers’ influence in Florida

Florida solar battle heats up: Tea Party’s Debbie Dooley takes on Americans for Prosperity

Backers say film incentive bill still alive in Tallahassee