Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsApril 11, 2016

Miami-based attorney Ivette Arango O’Doski, who also lives in Tallahassee (she’s married to Advantage Consulting Team’s co-founder Rhett O’Doski), became part of the Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney team April 1. She will staff the Miami office. Her hire opens the door for the firm’s entry into the lucrative South Florida governmental relations market. In 2014, Gov. Rick Scott appointed her as a “consumer […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2016

Progress Florida has unveiled their “Champions of Florida’s Middle Class” for 2016,” consisting of 14 House Democrats and four Senate Democrats. There are no Republicans on the list. The progressive activist group is celebrating these Democrats for their stances on fracking bans (HB 191/SB 318), public schools (HB 7029), reproductive health care (HB 1411/SB 1722), guns on campus […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2016

House District 61 hopeful Sean Shaw said Monday he’s raised more than $20,000 during his first 20 days of campaigning. “Our supporters have stepped up in a big way,” Shaw said in a prepared statement. “They know I’ll work hard for our families and make our streets safer for our children. As our Consumer Advocate, as […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2016

The families of the more than 50 deceased children discovered at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys will receive $7,500 for reimbursement of burial and grave marker expenses after Gov. Rick Scott signed the legislation Wednesday. The bill also establishes a Dozier Task Force headed by the secretary of the Department of State to recommend creation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 30, 2016

The state’s elections chiefs will have a little more cash in their pockets thanks to a bill just signed into law. It was among 14 bills Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed on Wednesday. The measure (SB 514) gives the state’s 67 supervisors of elections a pay raise. The bill was sponsored by Republicans Sen. Garrett […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2016

Like may people in the Tampa Heights community that he represents, House District 61 Democrat Ed Narain was holding his breath when news broke on Tuesday that Gov. Rick Scott had vetoed $256 million in projects from the just concluded legislative session. The good news is that Narain’s request for $1.2 million to move what has become a […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 15, 2016

As elections officials across the state are focused on Election Day, Gov. Rick Scott is tasked with pondering giving them a pay raise. The Legislature on Tuesday sent Scott more than a dozen bills, including a proposal that would increase the base salaries of the state’s 67 county elections chiefs. The bill (SB 514) puts […]

William MarchMarch 14, 2016

When Florida state House Minority Leader Mark Pafford puts a 6 a.m. workout before his legislative meetings on his daily schedule, it’s a public record. When concerned parent Kimberly Jones of Plantation emails House Speaker Steve Crisafulli saying she has two children going to Florida State University and wants him to oppose a bill allowing […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

After passage of a tax package and budget that snubs Gov. Rick Scott, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner said Friday afternoon lawmakers had “declared their independence” from an overbearing executive branch. “The 2016 Legislative Session may well go down in the history books as the year Florida lawmakers formally declared their independence from Governor Scott,” said Joyner, who […]

Mitch PerryMarch 10, 2016

Tampa state House Democrat Ed Narain said Thursday he’s giving up his House District 61 seat to run for state Senate this year. He’s aiming for the Senate District 19 seat being vacated by term-limited Arthenia Joyner. “From community service to political service, my guiding principal has been to focus on what’s best for Florida […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Personnel notes: Ivette Arango O’doski, Karen Skyers and Jennifer Wilson making moves

Progress Florida names 18 Democrat lawmakers as “Champions of Florida’s Middle Class”

Sean Shaw off to quick start in HD 61 fundraising

Ed Narain, Arthenia Joyner say justice achieved with Dozier School bill signing

Rick Scott signs supervisor of elections pay raise; Dozier School for Boys bills into law

Ed Narain proud of accomplishments in House, ready for Senate

Legislature sends bills on elections supervisors’ pay raise, Dozier School to governor

In Florida, most legislative documents are public records

Top Democrat says lawmakers “declared independence” from Rick Scott by rebuffing priorities

Ed Narain declares candidacy for SD 19