Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 21, 2017

Nothing emerged during a numbers-crunching exercise by state economists Tuesday to change the economic picture the Legislature will confront this year — growth in tourism and slack housing starts will offset each other as overall growth produces about $31 billion in general revenues. “Those are going to compensate for each other. So, overall, you end […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s favored economic incentive program – the Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC) – is now losing money, the Legislature’s chief economist told a Senate panel Wednesday. The QAC is a pot of cash that Scott can draw up to $2 million from without legislative approval to entice businesses to the state. But though […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Michael MolineDecember 12, 2016

The Florida Legislature may have nearly $142 million more to spend next year than previously expected, but that won’t save lawmakers from difficult choices during the spring legislative session. The revenue forecast for the fiscal year ending in June could run $119.3 million ahead of the previous forecast in September, according to preliminary numbers approved […]

Staff ReportsOctober 26, 2016

A panel of state economists and forecasters spent Wednesday editing their notes on the costs of a constitutional amendment on felons’ voting rights. Amy Baker, who heads the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, noted the amendment’s opponents never submitted written material or testimony. The proposed Florida Voting Restoration Amendment would automatically return voting rights to felons who have completed their […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2016

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Florida is likely to basically break even next year in terms of its state budget, lawmakers heard Monday. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission met in the Capitol to hear the latest financial outlook for 2017-18: Present income and outgo estimates leave Florida with a relatively scant $7.5 million left over out of about $32.2 billion in […]

Associated PressSeptember 7, 2016

Florida will have very little extra money to spend in the coming year. That means top legislators and Gov. Rick Scott may have slash the state budget to meet some of their promises. The annual forecast released Tuesday shows that despite the state’s gradual economic recovery Florida is expected to bring in just enough money […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 11, 2016

Brexit has caused state economists to shift their forecast for the national economy slightly downward. “Generally, the forecast is weaker than when we met in December,” said Amy Baker, director of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research. Baker said Britain’s decision last month to leave the European Union was “a big piece” of […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2016

If it’s approved, would a proposed constitutional amendment outlaw currently legal kinds of gambling? A panel of state economic analysts debated the question on Tuesday. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference, a slate of economists for the Legislature and executive branches, held a public workshop in Tallahassee on the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. It would “ensure that Florida […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

A new slots casino in Palm Beach County could be a winner out of the latest version of gambling laws to come out of the Florida Legislature this Session, state economists said Tuesday. The Revenue Estimating Conference, a panel of economic forecasters, talked about its assessments stemming from the Senate’s current gambling bill (SB 7072). The actual numbers were […]

Tag: Amy Baker

State economists see tourism growth canceling out lagging housing starts

Rick Scott’s favorite business incentive is losing money, Senate hears

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016

Austerity budget looms despite Florida’s improved state revenue forecast

Economists wrap up consideration of felons’ voting rights

Lawmakers get grim budget news for next year

Florida won’t have much extra money in 2017

Brexit brings slight chill in state economic forecast

Economists puzzle over proposed gambling amendment

State economists see Palm Beach as a winner under gambling proposal