Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 12, 2016

Reporter Troy Kinsey and I are both card-carrying members of the Society of the Tarpon Belt — an unofficial coalition of supporters of former Gov. Charlie Crist, who was known to wear leather belt featuring both embroidered and embossed tarpon. Kinsey and I also share the fact that our better halves are current or former […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 11, 2016

During the 2016 Florida Legislative session, lawmakers will be asked by the self-storage industry to end the current system of publishing a public notice in a local newspaper before the seizure of property or an auction is going to occur. Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is opposed to this because we represent the interest of […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 8, 2016

Associated Industries of Florida’s affiliated H2O Coalition reaffirmed its support Thursday of a new comprehensive water policy bill that would make industry standards, rather than state-set regulations, the norm in efforts to reduce harmful runoff and increase water quality. The pro-business group marshaled a slate of endorsements for the bill from business, government, and environmental leaders […]

Jim RosicaDecember 22, 2015

New polling shows Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sweeping primaries in Florida and early-vote state New Hampshire, and tying with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in South Carolina. The pollster, though, warns the “race is still young” and “there is still much room for movement for virtually all of the candidates.” More to the point, other focus-group surveys suggest Trump “may have hit […]

Guest AuthorDecember 14, 2015

Right now, in Florida, there’s a debate over the future of onshore oil and gas activities and, more specifically, the use of high-pressure well stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing. During the course of this debate, there have been several common misconceptions surrounding the use of those advanced techniques and their effect on the environment, […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2015

An array of business lobbies has banded together to support one of Gov. Rick Scott‘s tax cut proposals that would reduce the tax businesses pay on their rents. The new campaign, Cut My Rent 1 Percent, is backed by Florida Realtors, National Federation of Independent Business, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated Industries of Florida, and the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2015

In yet another odd coupling driven by obscure policy, the state’s premier business lobby is sticking up for the news media — sort of — in a battle about changing the law affecting self-storage facilities. Legislation in both chambers (SB 720/HB 559) would take away the monopoly that newspapers have for public notices when storage […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2015

The Everglades Foundation, Audubon Florida, the Nature Conservancy, and the H2O Coalition of the Associated Industries of Florida. What do all of these political players have in common? They scored a massive victory Tuesday all thanks to the Florida House of Representatives. A loud symphony of applause came in the form of a three-page news release where countless groups praised and thanked […]

Ryan RayNovember 13, 2015

Gunster Yoakley & Stewart — Florida’s law firm for business — was paid an estimated $425,000 in lobbying fees during the third quarter according to recently submitted compensation reports. The firm’s biggest spenders for legislative advocacy include the Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers, Florida Goodwill Association, RAI Services, and Realauction.com, contributing a combined total of around $100,000. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 10, 2015

Heavy giving by political groups connected to Florida’s premier business lobby has pushed Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam‘s political committee to more than $3 million in total fundraising. October fundraising numbers were due Tuesday; figures for Florida Grown PC were posted on its website Tuesday morning but not yet available on the state’s campaign finance page. […]

Tag: Associated Industries of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Why does reporter Troy Kinsey do that?

Brewster Bevis: Legislature shouldn’t limit public notice

AIF H2O coalition: Florida leaders embracing water policy bill

New polls show Donald Trump strong but “race still young”

Brewster Bevis: Misconceptions surround hydraulic fracturing

In Florida, the rent (tax) is too damn high, groups say

Business lobby sticks up for newspapers in storage wars

Environmental community scores big in Florida House on Tuesday

Gunster collects $425K in third quarter lobbying fees

Adam Putnam political committee takes in nearly $700K in October