Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosNovember 3, 2017

Hours after POLITICO Florida reported that powerful state Sen. Jack Latvala had sexually harassed six women who work in the legislative process, the Clearwater Republican said in a Friday night statement that he “unequivocally den(ied) the allegations.” But the news dealt a stunning blow to the powerful Appropriations Committee chairman and Republican gubernatorial candidate, with House Speaker Richard […]

Jim RosicaNovember 2, 2017

Talking about the future and reminding the audience of his past, Rick Scott appeared one last time as Florida’s governor at the annual Associated Press planning session at the Capitol. Scott did not present a proposed state budget Thursday, as he has at previous AP events, but began with a recap of recent hurricane recovery, then […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 7, 2017

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As state lawmakers head back to Tallahassee for a special session this week, the Florida College System is are asking Gov. Rick Scott to reconsider millions upon millions of cuts to their base budgets. Thomas LoBasso, the president of Daytona State College and the chairman of the Council of Presidents, sent a letter to Scott […]

Peter SchorschJune 2, 2017

Florida taxpayers will be the true winners next week as lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session on economic incentives and education funding in the state’s budget, says Americans for Prosperity-Florida. The conservative government watchdog group is applauding Friday’s announcement by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Senate President Joe Negron, and Gov. Rick Scott that […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 31, 2017

The budget is on the governor’s desk. Senate President Joe Negron sent 13 bills, including the 2017-18 spending plan, to Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday. Scott now has until June 15 to act on the $82.4 billion spending plan, but exactly how he plans to proceed remains unclear. The Naples Republican has been tight-lipped on […]

Guest AuthorMay 17, 2017

One of my all-time heroes is Winston Churchill. He’s widely credited with having said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” In the digital age, this phenomenon, which once took days or weeks, now takes mere hours or minutes. To know this is true […]

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2017

The Senate accepted the House offer on the agriculture and natural resources portion of the budget, agreeing not to set aside any money for Florida Forever in 2017-18. The $3.6 billion plan zeros out funding for land acquisition. Sen. Rob Bradley said the budget includes $13.3 million — $5 million of which is recurring dollars — […]

Staff ReportsMay 3, 2017

Sen. Rob Bradley isn’t giving up hope the 2017-18 state budget will include money for the Florida Forever conservation lands program. POLITICO Florida reported Tuesday that Bradley said the budget would include spending for Florida Forever, for Florida Keys wastewater projects, his proposed projects along the St. Johns River, and Senate President Joe Negron’s proposed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is continuing his push for money for Visit Florida, releasing a new digital ad hitting lawmakers over proposals to cut funding for the state’s tourism marketing agency. In the 60-second spot, released by Scott’s political committee Let’s Get to Work, the Naples Republican is shown saying “Florida’s been winning, now a group […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2017

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There is a deal. House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron announced a settlement Thursday on the major points of difference between their chambers on an $83 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and appointed conference committee members to work out the details. The conferees were to begin work […]

Tag: Budget
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Jack Latvala denies sexual harassment, says he’ll ‘clear my name’

Coda: Rick Scott’s last stand at AP Day at the Capitol

Florida colleges to Rick Scott: ‘Urge legislative leaders to restore our cuts’

Florida taxpayers, entrepreneurs winners in new budget deal, says Americans for Prosperity

Senate sends $82.4 billion budget to Rick Scott

Richard Corcoran: Don’t believe hyperbole, hysterics from budget critics

Budget deal includes no money for Florida Forever

Report: Rob Bradley says 2017-18 budget will include money for land conservation

Rick Scott calls proposed cuts to Visit Florida ‘irresponsible’ in new web ad

Budget deal struck, House and Senate leaders appoint conferees