Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2015

The vice chair of Enterprise Florida wants to make sure his organization’s affairs are in order as it fights for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund to revamp the state’s business incentives. High on his list is looking at how much the state’s public-private economic development organization pays its top officials. Alan Becker, also co-founder of South Florida’s Becker […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

One of three Senate committee leaders set to review now-outgoing Department of Economic Opportunity chief Jesse Panuccio for confirmation next year didn’t say she was sorry to see him go. “I’ve already said too much about Mr. Panuccio,” state Sen. Nancy Detert, the Venice Republican in charge of the Commerce and Tourism Committee, said Friday. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2015

The selling of Gov. Rick Scott‘s $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund, aimed at revamping the state’s business incentives, continued in earnest Thursday, with promises it would allow for “cleaner deals.” The No. 2 official of Enterprise Florida, the state public-private economic development organization, presented the proposed overhaul to the House Economic Affairs Committee, saying it was […]

Mitch PerryNovember 16, 2015

Rick Scott really, really wants the Legislature to back his reforms for Enterprise Florida, the public-private economic development organization. At the top of his wish list is a request for $250 million to help the agency lure out-of-state companies to take up business in the Sunshine State. As part of his advocacy, Scott has been recruiting […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

Bill Johnson, head of the state’s economic development agency, continued to take hits from state senators Tuesday as he pressed for still more money for business incentive programs. Johnson, CEO of Enterprise Florida, appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development. Gov. Rick Scott’s point man on enticing new business to […]

Shannon NickinsonOctober 19, 2015

Northwest Florida has a lot going for it. That was among the bits of wisdom and moments of insight offered throughout the recent Gulf Power Economic Symposium at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin. What we do with all that potential and goodwill created by our area’s natural beauty and a workforce influenced […]

Ryan RayOctober 7, 2015

Department of Economic Opportunity head Jesse Panuccio faced a battery of pointed questions and criticism over an executive branch battle with a labor group and the state’s beleaguered unemployment system in a Wednesday meeting of a Senate budget panel. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Tourism, Transportation and Economic Development Chairman Jack Latvala had originally requested the presence […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2015

A 30-year veteran of marketing and public relations has been tapped to become Enterprise Florida’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Joseph S. Hice Jr. will be the organization’s senior vice president for marketing, overseeing its marketing and communications, according to a Tuesday press release. Enterprise Florida is the state’s public-private economic development agency. “Joe will take Enterprise Florida’s […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

The head of the state’s economic development agency told lawmakers Wednesday he was on the cusp of a big deal with a certain “genius.” Bill Johnson, who leads Enterprise Florida, said he’s talking to a technology guru who lives in London, but also has a house in Florida, about doing a big project here. He didn’t […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

There was a battle of arithmetic Wednesday between state senators and the head of the state’s economic development agency as he argued for millions in new funding. Bill Johnson, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, appeared before the Senate’s Commerce and Tourism committee. It was his first appearance since Senate President Andy Gardiner took his […]

Tag: Bill Johnson

Enterprise Florida circles the wagons before incentives fight

Jesse Panuccio’s road to resignation paved with Senate’s hard feelings

Enterprise Florida official touts incentives overhaul

Bob Buckhorn backs Rick Scott’s push to boost Enterprise Florida funding

Bill Johnson keeps up fight for incentives funding

Shannon Nickinson: Economic symposium points way for NW Florida's future

Jack Latvala, Senate budget panel clash with DEO chief on unemployment

Enterprise Florida names new marketing executive

Bill Johnson won’t identify his “genius”

Enterprise Florida and lawmakers still disagree over funding