Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 13, 2016

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The vice chair of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development agency, sounded like he was playing defense in a conference call with the group’s executive committee Wednesday. “As you read some of the newspapers, they make it sound like we’re out of business,” said Alan Becker, co-founder of South Florida’s Becker & Poliakoff law firm. […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered examinations into Visit Florida and Space Florida, two high-profile public-private partnerships with the state government, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Gray Rohrer. The purpose of the reviews is to determine the level of return on investment Florida taxpayers get in exchange for funding projects through the entities, which don’t have the same broad […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 29, 2016

Americans for Prosperity-Florida is giving Gov. Rick Scott kudos for his decision to audit Enterprise Florida. According to POLITICO Florida, Scott told Enterprise Florida board members on Monday that he’s bringing in David Wilkins, the former head of the Department of Children and Families, to audit the organization. Wilkins will be tasked with finding savings […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2016

The head of the state’s public-private economic development organization is stepping down. On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson is leaving the organization. “Bill has traveled the globe to let businesses know that Florida is the top destination in the world for jobs,” Scott said in a prepared statement Monday. […]

Associated PressFebruary 27, 2016

The head of Florida’s economic development agency is warning that the state could lose out on 50,000 jobs because of the Legislature. Bill Johnson, the president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, made that prediction in an email he sent Saturday to business partners statewide. Legislative leaders late Friday announced they were rejecting Gov. Rick Scott‘s […]

Bob SparksFebruary 25, 2016

Sometimes during legislative sessions some unusual partnerships develop. Unlikely alliances can form to pass or defeat a measure that fits a common goal. Florida has provided a prime example of such teamwork. The philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” syndrome has played out in the area of economic incentives. House Bill […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

Day 2 of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual International Days event continued Wednesday, with Consuls General and business liaisons from around the world hearing from top state officials in Tallahassee. In his introductory remarks, Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson relayed a poignant story from a dinner Tuesday night that brought the annual confab into focus. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2016

Americans for Prosperity-Florida, a Koch brothers-affiliated group, has at times gotten under the nerves of Florida Republicans with their intense advocacy on issues. It’s taken a tight bead on Gov. Rick Scott‘s $250 million request for Enterprise Florida. Scott claims the agency is underfunded, making it unable to compete with Florida’s strongest competitors for job growth […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Guest AuthorDecember 28, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Tag: Bill Johnson

Enterprise Florida shouldn’t “be overlooked,” vice chair says

Rick Scott orders probes into Visit Florida, Space Florida

Americans for Prosperity-Florida applauds Rick Scott’s planned audit of Enterprise Florida

Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson stepping down

Jobs chief: Florida could lose out on thousands of jobs

Bob Sparks: Battle over economic incentives features unlikely alliances

Florida Chamber’s International Days continue with talks from high-level state officials

Enterprise Florida’s Bill Johnson unloads on AFP-Florida over anti-incentives ads

Jim Rosica’s top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Jim Rosica's Top 10 stories of 2015 in state government