Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJuly 25, 2017

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Amber Moody is a new support analyst for the House Office of Information Technology. Off: Michael Ellis is no longer a journal writer/editor for the Legislative Process Division. Off and on: Natasha Sutherland has […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2017

A top editor at the Tampa Bay Times fired back Wednesday after Pinellas legislators slammed the paper for calling them “Disciples of Darkness” because of transparency-related and public records measures passed this year. “I understand why they are not happy,” Tim Nickens, the Times editor of editorials, wrote in an email. “They have no respect for open government, and […]

Mitch PerryJune 26, 2017

Rick Scott heads to Washington D.C. this week, ostensibly to meet with members of the Florida GOP congressional delegation regarding the health care bill unveiled last Thursday by Senate Republicans. What Scott thinks of the bill, or what changes he believes are warranted, remains a mystery. “I want to thank President Trump; he’s absolutely committed […]

Associated PressJune 26, 2017

Half of Florida’s legislators failed or nearly failed in a review of their support for public records and meetings given by Florida newspapers and an open-government group after this year’s legislative sessions. In a “scorecard” produced by the Florida Society of News Editors and based on information provided by Florida’s First Amendment Foundation — which tracked a priority list of […]

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2017

In a statement proclaiming Monday as “Pulse Remembrance Day,” Gov. Rick Scott described the Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49 people a year ago as “an attack on Orlando, our state, the Hispanic community and on the LGBTQ community.” Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida, the leading advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Florida, is “glad” Scott […]

Peter SchorschMay 28, 2017

Former Mayor Rick Baker continues building momentum in his quest to return for a third term as St. Petersburg Mayor. Coming off a successful campaign kickoff event last week, Baker, who served two terms from 2001-2010, is following with another high-profile reception Wednesday in Clearwater Beach. Co-chairs of the event – with the tagline “Proven Leadership” […]

Mitch PerryMay 10, 2017

With a setting out of a Norman Rockwell painting, Florida Agriculture Commissioner and fifth generation Floridian Adam Putnam formally announced his candidacy for governor on Wednesday morning before hundreds of adoring friends and supporters in his home town of Bartow in Polk County. Harkening back to an earlier era, Putnam said “some people say that […]

Staff ReportsApril 13, 2017

The LIBRE Initiative, a project of Americans for Prosperity focused on the Hispanic community, issued a statement Thursday in support of the House’s “Schools of Hope” bill. The measure (HB 5105), which passed the House and heads to the Senate, sets aside $200 million in financial help for nonprofit companies to open charter schools in […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

Recounting an impressive list of achievements spanning four decades, veteran lawmaker Jack Latvala seems to have done it all: an effective Florida senator and political consultant, a self-described “environmentally-conscious” Republican and the proud father to state Rep. Chris Latvala. The Clearwater senator, chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, recently sat down with FloridaPolitics.com’s Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 29, 2017

Cosmetic manufacturers are hopeful state lawmakers will take action this year to eliminate a policy requiring them to get approval before taking a product to market, a lengthy process that industry officials say goes above and beyond federal requirements. The industry has been pushing for the change for several years now, but think a recent […]

Tag: Chris Latvala

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Pinellas GOP lawmakers ‘have no respect for open government,’ Times editor says

Rick Scott heads to D.C. to lobby for ‘Florida interests’ in health care bill, avoids specifics

On open records, half Florida’s legislators rate F or D

On Pulse anniversary, Equality Florida calls Rick Scott to ban LGBTQ discrimination statewide

Pinellas GOP heavyweights raising money for Rick Baker on Wednesday in Clearwater Beach

Adam Putnam touts Florida exceptionalism as he starts his campaign for governor

LIBRE Initiative says it supports “Schools of Hope”

INFLUENCE Magazine talks with Jack Latvala on life, political success and ‘what he’s learned’

Cosmetics industry hopeful third time is the charm for reform bill