Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2015

Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner on Monday defended his chamber’s position on funding the state’s business incentives, three months after Florida’s economic development czar complained lawmakers were starving him of money. “(W)e need to change how we fund economic development,” Gardner said in a memo to senators. “A business would not set aside the total funds needed […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

Enterprise Florida is the official economic development organization for the state of Florida. Jobs in the Sunshine State, by most measures, are booming. Florida is, as they say, open for business. However, there is a caveat, which was revealed Wednesday morning during the Enterprise Florida Board Legislative Policy Meeting. And it is a significant caveat. […]

Phil AmmannJuly 27, 2015

State Rep. Jim Boyd has joined Enterprise Florida as an appointed member of the Board of Directors. The Bradenton Republican, who is serving as Deputy Majority Leader and Majority Whip through 2016, will advocate for the state-run nonprofit economic development organization within the Florida Legislature. “Realizing that business is the backbone of our economy, I […]

Staff ReportsJuly 15, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott continued a string of jobs announcements, reporting Wednesday that Feld Entertainment, which moved its international headquarters from Vienna, Va., to Ellenton in 2013, will continue to expand its workforce in Florida by relocating the corporation’s Motor Sports division to Manatee County. The live-show production company, will shift about 200 jobs and a […]

Staff ReportsJuly 14, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday the opening of a new Accusoft headquarters will bring about 125 new jobs to the Tampa Bay area. According to a release from the governor’s office, Accusoft, a “global provider of document, content and imaging solutions,” will expand its base of operations in Tampa, where the company was founded in 1991 […]

Staff ReportsJune 23, 2015

In the wake of Tuesday morning’s budgetary blood bath that left $431 million in state spending on the Rotunda floor, state senators have had a thing or two to say about Gov. Rick Scott‘s line-item veto spree. So have the governor’s many boosters within state governmental agencies, who worked up prepared statements and sent them out into […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 8, 2015

Senate budget Chief Tom Lee said on Monday the House is “doing the bidding” of Gov. Rick Scott in pushing to increase funds to Enterprise Florida. The remarks followed Sen. Jack Latvala‘s abrupt move to adjourn the Tourism and Economic Development budget conferee meeting early Monday morning just minutes into the meeting and as the House […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 8, 2015

Chagrined at the levels of funding allocated in the proposed 2015-16 budget Enterprise Florida held a conference call early Monday morning asked members of its executive committee to contact budget conferees and press for more money. According to EFI staff there is $30 million in the Senate budget and $5 million for marketing or EFI […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2015

Florida Cabinet members join legislative and business leaders for an in-depth examination of the state’s most demanding issues at the Florida Chamber Board of Governors Capitol Days. The annual two-day event is March 4-6 in Tallahassee’s Turnbull Center, 555 W Pensacola St. Key topics include Florida’s long-term water policy, the Chamber’s plan for smarter healthcare […]

Tag: Bill Johnson

Enterprise Florida and lawmakers still disagree over funding

Andy Gardiner defends decision on economic development funding

Enterprise Florida: “Our competitors are smiling”

Jim Boyd named to Enterprise Florida Board of Directors

Rick Scott says Feld Entertainment to expand in Manatee County

Rick Scott says new Accusoft HQ in Tampa will create scores of new jobs

“It’s working!”: Executive agency veto statement round-up

Tom Lee says House is “doing the bidding” of Rick Scott on Enterprise Florida funding

Enterprise Florida pushing for more money in the 2015-16 budget

Florida Chamber hosts Cabinet, legislators in March for Capitol Days 2015