Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto announced Wednesday he is forming a Central Florida task force to advise on matters involving the the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have fled the island for Central Florida to escape the island’s plight following Hurricane Maria. The regional Task Force on Puerto Rico Arrivals to Central Florida was […]

Jim RosicaDecember 26, 2017

Spoiler alert: If you’re a regular of this site, and reading this story, you can guess what the #1 pick is. Otherwise, 2017 still offered a bounty of material to Tallahassee’s reporting ranks. We still chuckle at the uninitiated who ask, “What do you write about when the Legislature isn’t in session?” Without further ado, […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 13, 2017

With a potential state housing crisis ahead due to an influx of Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, Rep. Bob Cortes has introduced a bill that promotes greater availability of affordable housing. The Altamonte Springs Republican’s proposal (HB 987) provides for several changes to help expedite permitting processes for affordable housing projects. It also places […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2017

A House of Representatives panel approved a bill that would award $750,000 from Orange County to a man injured when his motorcycle was struck by a county work van in 2006. The award, if it receives ultimate approval by the Florida Legislature, is far less than the $2.9 million awarded to Robert Allan Smith in […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 4, 2017

A proposal seeking to fund affordable housing programs in the wakes of Hurricanes Irma and Maria could be underfunded by Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed budget. The policy recommendation, submitted by Altamonte Springs Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes, was mentioned in passing Monday at the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness meeting. Cortes’ proposal […]

Scott PowersNovember 29, 2017

Political involvement is in D. Clark Anderson‘s blood. The 64-year-old Democrat from Winter Park hadn’t acted on it in a big way — until now, filing this week to run for the Florida House of Representatives District 30 seat. Anderson has spent much of his life and career in computers, specifically in cyber security for […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 17, 2017

A select group of lawmakers will be focused on specific, hurricane-related policy recommendations over the next two weeks. Each member of the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness on Friday was assigned a specific area of focus. Chair Jeanette Nuñez, a Miami Republican, grouped the issues into categories following the five educational meetings held […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Scott PowersNovember 9, 2017

The results of Tuesday night’s elections for the Longwood City Commission – with three new commissioners elected to office – has spurred state Reps. Scott Plakon and Bob Cortes to file a bill that would strip cities from having any approval of cardrooms at pari-mutuel facilities such as dog tracks. Longwood is home to the […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2017

On Thursday, the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness heard about issues affecting Florida during Irma, including petroleum supplies and electric utilities. This informational meeting set the table for the future of the committee, with no action items Thursday. Wes Maul, the interim director of the Division of Emergency Management, addressed fuel shortages. […]

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

Returning from Puerto Rico, Darren Soto organizing advisory task force

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories of 2017

Affordable housing bill filed amid Puerto Rican influx

House panel approves $750K to man injured in Orange County wreck

Hurricane proposal could clash with Rick Scott’s budget

Clark Anderson following his mother’s footsteps, seeking HD 30 seat

Focus areas doled out for hurricane committee

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Longwood city election spurs bill to strip cities of control of cardroom gambling

House hurricane committee mulls what went wrong during, after Irma