Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2018

Now that four people have been killed after somehow walking or bicycling into Brightline railroad trains’ paths, the state senator who has been pushing for Florida to regulate safety for the state’s new high-speed, private passenger rail service decried whether there have been enough tragedies for the state to start considering train safety. “How many […]

Scott PowersDecember 28, 2017

State Sen. Debbie Mayfield is urging Gov. Rick Scott to have the Florida Department of Transportation review several safety concerns she’s been raising about the proposed Brightline higher-speed passenger train, while warning that the recent fatal Amtrak derailment in Washington state may foretell issues in Florida. Mayfield, a Melbourne Republican, has been pushing legislation the […]

Scott PowersDecember 19, 2017

Monday’s fatal train derailment in Washington state has Florida state Sen. Debbie Mayfield saying she sees the same fears and the same fights in the Northwest, and the same kind of potential tragedy, that have her pushing for state safety regulations of the Brightline higher-speed passenger train being planned by All Aboard Florida. “I do […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

The Florida Democratic Party now says Sen. Jack Latvala “must resign” in light of “the numerous allegations of sexual harassment against” him. The party released a statement Tuesday through its spokeswoman, Johanna Cervone. It follows calls from fellow GOP senators also calling for him to, or suggesting that he, step down from office. “Latvala’s behavior is […]

Scott PowersNovember 16, 2017

All Aboard Florida’s efforts to clear a needed environmental permit from challenges won another victory Thursday as the South Florida Water Management District rejected final challenges brought by the private passenger train developer’s critics along the Treasure Coast. The water district denied 17 exceptions filed by Martin and St. Lucie counties and entered a final […]

Scott PowersNovember 14, 2017

A bill that would set tougher rules and safety requirements on the All Aboard Florida Brightline passenger rail train being developed along the East Coast got approval from the Florida Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday. Yet members of that committee sounded as if they’ll be ready to derail the bill later, if they eventually conclude it’s […]

Phil AmmannNovember 7, 2017

funfair__ghosts__merrygoround_by_abbyarcanine-1024x1024.jpg

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. On: Aisha Bien-Aime is the new legislative assistant for Ocoee Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy. On: Amelia Johnson Smith is district secretary for Melbourne Republican Sen. Debbie Mayfield. On and off: Staz Guntek has replaced Joseph […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2017

Ritch Workman is headed back to Tallahassee. The former state representative, a Melbourne Republican, was appointed Friday night by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Florida Public Service Commission. Workman replaces Ronald Brisé, who had sought a third term on the board. Scott also re-appointed Art Graham to the commission and filled the seat left open by […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 27, 2017

Last fiscal year, the Duval County School District spent $21 million over budget — leading to requests for a “deeper dive” into the numbers, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Also seeking a “deeper dive” — current State Rep. Jason Fischer, a former member of the Duval County School Board. However, that deeper dive is not welcomed […]

Scott PowersJune 2, 2017

Brevard County is officially joining the Central Florida Expressway Authority. The toll road agency that serves Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties by building, maintaining, and running tolled expressways has no immediate plans to push any of those highways into Brevard County, or build any in the Space Coast area. But that is likely to […]

Tag: Debbie Mayfield
Image via Amelia Island.

With four Brightline pedestrian deaths, Debbie Mayfield imploring need for state safety regulation

After fatal derailment in Washington, Debbie Mayfield urges Rick Scott to review rail safety

Debbie Mayfield warns of parallels between Washington train wreck and Florida concerns

Florida Democratic Party: Jack Latvala ‘must resign’

All Aboard Florida wins again in water district dispute: permit cleared

Bill to tighten All Aboard Florida rules gets approval – but so does train

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

Ritch Workman named to Public Service Commission

State legislators press for Duval School District audit, as district resists

Brevard County to join Central Florida Expressway Authority