Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 1, 2017

Florida legislators are considering another public meeting on the state’s budget language before finalizing the agreement Tuesday. Lobby Tools is reporting Monday that Senate budget chief Jack Latvala and Carlos Trujillo, his House counterpart, said that the joint appropriations committee would not meet again, so it’s not clear who will be involved in the meeting, […]

Peter SchorschMay 1, 2017

Money to help smaller communities market themselves during the off-season could still be in play as legislative leaders continue to negotiate the 2017-18 budget. The Senate has proposed language to move a state-funded marketing program run by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation from Visit Florida. The House […]

Jim RosicaApril 30, 2017

The House and Senate is seemingly at odds over whether to pay for the Constitution Revision Commission. A Sunday spreadsheet that came out of the first 2017-18 state budget conference chairs meeting of the day had a line item for the commission, which meets every 20 years to review and revise the state’s governing document. […]

Jim RosicaApril 29, 2017

Don’t expect any movement in the budgets for Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA at the conference committee level. “I’m authorized to negotiate quite a few things in this budget and there’s a few things I’m not, and those would be among the things I’m not,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, the St. Petersburg Republican chairing the […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsApril 14, 2017

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A proposed overhaul of the Florida College System from Sen. Dorothy Hukill has been passed Senate and is heading to a conference next week after amendments by the House. “This legislation (SB 374) will strengthen and expand college and university partnerships so the next generation of Floridians can benefit from our excellent 2+2 program,” said […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 12, 2017

The Florida House rebuffed an attempt to include proviso language in the budget for a report on the “imposition and execution of capital punishment” in Florida. The amendment, put forward by Rep. Sharon Pritchett, called for the state to use money to fund a report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability […]

Drew WilsonApril 11, 2017

Former state representative and congressman David Rivera kicked off his campaign for House District 105 with a $100,000 loan according to a campaign finance report filed with the Florida Division of Elections. Rivera’s loan was first reported by Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida. Rivera served in the Florida House for four terms before heading to […]

Gary FineoutApril 7, 2017

Florida may end a long-running battle and pay millions to homeowners whose healthy citrus trees were torn down in a failed attempt to eradicate citrus canker. The Florida House has $66 million in its proposed budget to pay lawsuits filed on behalf of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties. There are also lawsuits […]

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

The Florida House’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1 could make life uncomfortable for the state’s colleges and universities. The budget — agreed upon in principle, and due in bill form this week — will call for something like $2.2 billion in spending cuts, according to House leaders, for a total expenditure […]

Tag: Carlos Trujillo
Image via AP

Lawmakers consider one more public budget meeting

Hospitality marketing money still in play, lawmakers say

Constitutional review panel money becomes a ‘bump issue’

Top line tourism, economic development money closed out, chair says

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

Dorothy Hukill ‘College Competitiveness’ bill moves to conference

House votes down budget amendment calling for report on cost-effectiveness of Florida’s death penalty

David Rivera starts HD 105 campaign with $100K loan

Florida may pay millions to homeowners for lost citrus trees

Higher education projects fail House’s strict new budget test