Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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

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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 […]

Staff ReportsMay 23, 2017

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Tuesday for the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that left 22 people dead and sparked a stampede of young concertgoers. The attack was the deadliest in Britain since four suicide bombers killed 52 London commuters on subway trains and a bus in July 2005. Here […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

Still waiting. A pair of Republican lawmakers have yet to receive an adequate explanation from the Florida Development Finance Corporation about its approval of a $600 million private equity bond application for All Aboard Florida. The rail project is seeking to offer passenger service from Miami to West Palm Beach with the possibility of future […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2017

Two Republican lawmakers are still waiting for a response from the Florida Development Finance Corporation about its approval of a $600 million private equity bond application for All Aboard Florida. The rail project is seeking to provide passenger service from Miami to West Palm Beach and, eventually, service to Orlando. FDFC approved the issuance of […]

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

A bill aimed at putting some brakes on the Brightline private passenger train from West Palm Beach to Orlando died Tuesday when it was pulled from the agenda of a Florida House committee. House Bill 269, dubbed the Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act, was set to be heard by the House Transportation & Infrastructure […]

Tag: Debbie Mayfield

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

Florida leaders react to the bombing at a concert in Manchester

Still waiting: Senators get non-answer from FDFC on All Aboard Florida bonding

FDFC silent after lawmakers question All Aboard Florida bonding process

High speed rail regulation bill dies in House committee