Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsJanuary 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott proposed $618 million in tax cuts this week, which included four back to school holidays and reducing the commercial lease tax. “Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ tax package includes a number of cuts which will significantly support Florida’s retailers, including a reduction in the business rent tax, cutting the business tax […]

Michael MolineNovember 9, 2016

When the campaigning finally ended, the Florida Chamber had invested $7.2 million in 113 television, radio, and digital ads in state races. It had mailed 600,000 campaign fliers to voters; interviewed more than 200 candidates and endorsed 116. The result was that 76 of 89 Florida Chamber-backed candidates won during the primary elections, and 74 […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 12, 2016

State Rep. Reggie Fullwood is an optimistic man — optimistic enough to run for re-election even with 14 federal felony counts hanging over his head. Fullwood, a Jacksonville Democrat, won his primary. But it turns out federal prosecutors might be a tougher out than Tracie Davis, Lee Brown, or J.R. Gaillot were on the August ballot. **** Fullwood filed a motion […]

Ryan RayFebruary 23, 2016

A group of international business leaders heard the Florida gospel from a cadre of state officials as part of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Annual International Days on Tuesday. Among the top talking points business professionals from around the world heard: Gov. Rick Scott‘s aggressive economic development efforts, Florida’s easygoing tax and regulatory regime, and, of […]

Phil AmmannNovember 5, 2015

Florida’s Chamber of Commerce welcomes the “targeted tax reforms” called for Thursday by Gov. Rick Scott which include reducing business rent tax and sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment. Scott is recommending $1 billion in tax cuts through a series of reductions and a possible elimination of the state’s corporate income tax. The governor […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

Two Tampa Bay-area lawmakers have filed legislation in both chambers to boost the state’s research and development, or R&D, tax credit. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, and state Rep. Ed Narain, a Tampa Democrat, filed the identical bills (SB 508/HB 311) earlier this week. The bill is a priority of the Florida Chamber of […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 11, 2015

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster‘s former chief of staff has been named the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of government affairs, the Chamber announced in a Friday press release. Frank Walker III also worked for three other U.S. lawmakers: Former U.S. Sens. George LeMieux and Mel Martinez of Florida, and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington state. “After […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday said it would lead a “Washington, D.C. fly-in” to meet with members of Florida’s congressional delegation. Chamber board members will be “urging support of job creators and pushing back against burdensome regulations.” Here’s the press release: With job creators facing a tidal wave of overreaching federal regulations, the Florida Chamber […]

Peter SchorschAugust 14, 2015

Andrew Wiggins has taken a new role as Senior Director of Campaigns and Elections for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Wiggins, previously Deputy Director of Senate Campaigns for the Republican Party of Florida, is one of four new team members to the Chamber – joined by Andy Gonzalez, Carolyn Gosselin, and Drew Preston. They are part […]

Phil AmmannJune 19, 2015

Despite philosophical differences, Florida lawmakers finished the special session on health care and the budget Friday afternoon by passing a $78.8 billion spending plan that will guide the state from June 30 to July 1. The 2015 Special Session A sine die was bittersweet for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. In a statement, the Chamber noted […]

Tag: David Hart

Capitol Reax: Tax cuts, certificates of need, whiskey and Wheaties, fracking

Florida Chamber feels its campaign investments paid off

Feds eviscerate Reggie Fullwood’s motion to dismiss charges

Foreign business leaders hear from lawmakers at Florida Chamber’s International Days

Florida Chamber welcomes Rick Scott’s $1 billion “targeted tax reforms”

Lawmakers move to increase R & D tax credit

Chamber taps former Daniel Webster aide as new influencer

Florida Chamber of Commerce to hold D.C. ‘fly-In’

Personnel note: Top Florida GOP staffer Andrew Wiggins accepts new role at Florida Chamber

As mixed-bag session ends, Florida Chamber warns ‘voters are paying attention’