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Staff ReportsMarch 22, 2016

Floridians now can schedule an appointment online to apply for a concealed weapon license, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Tuesday. “The new scheduling feature is only available to those seeking their initial concealed weapon license,” said a news release from his office. “Consumers can still apply for a concealed weapon license via mail, but a scheduled appointment […]

Ryan RayMarch 16, 2016

Florida said hello to its new official state honey – tupelo, of course – when Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill to make myriad tweaks to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Wednesday. House Bill 7007, which originated in the House sponsored by Rep. Jake Raburn and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee, is […]

Peter SchorschMarch 1, 2016

What do you do when you are asked to carry the water for a colleague running for the Florida Senate, who is looking to curry favor with a large business in his district by requesting funding for a line item nobody asked for, the state doesn’t need, and the Senate vehemently opposes? You do what […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 28, 2016

Florida environmental agencies will have about $3.6 billion to spend in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, based on recommendations from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Put together by Umatilla Republican Sen. Alan Hays, the Committee released its budget recommendations Thursday, reports LobbyTools. Among other things, Hays’ budget provides $1.5 billion to the Department of Environmental Protection, $1.7 billion […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 25, 2016

A bill that requires gas stations to toughen up security and increases penalties for fuel pump fraudsters cleared its first Senate panel Monday. Senate Bill 912 would require gas stations to secure fuel pump credit card readers to defend against data theft devices, known as “skimmers,” that capture credit and debit card information. The bill also ups the […]

Drew WilsonNovember 19, 2015

Bills that would require gas stations to protect customers from credit card skimmers and increase criminal penalties for data thieves were filed Thursday. The bills were announced by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose department is responsible for inspecting pumps at the state’s 8,000 gas stations. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspectors have found 150 […]

Peter SchorschNovember 12, 2015

You cannot turn on the television without seeing an ad for daily fantasy sports players DraftKings or FanDuel. That’s because the interest in daily fantasy sports is at stratospheric levels. Fantasy sports is as popular as Buffalo wings and cold beer. A report in Fortune shows that 57 million North Americans are betting $465 a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 12, 2015

You cannot turn on the television without seeing an ad for daily fantasy sports players DraftKings or FanDuel. That’s because the interest in daily fantasy sports is at stratospheric levels. Fantasy sports is as popular as Buffalo wings and cold beer. A report in Fortune shows that 57 million North Americans are betting $465 a year on fantasy sports, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 1, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says he’s expanding the “Fresh From Florida: On the Menu” program, meaning more restaurants will be highlighting state-produced produce, seafood and other foodstuffs. Putnam announced the move in a press release on Thursday. The new eateries in the program include Blue Bamboo and Grinders American Diner in Jacksonville, BellaBrava and Stillwaters Tavern in St. Petersburg, the 101 Restaurant in Tallahassee, and 30 locations of […]

Ryan RaySeptember 15, 2015

An Oriental Fruit Fly infestation in Miami-Dade County has risen to the level of an agricultural emergency, Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam declared Tuesday. “The Oriental Fruit Fly is one of the world’s most destructive pests and poses a significant threat to Florida’s $123 billion agriculture industry and the two million jobs it supports,” […]

Tag: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Appointments to apply for concealed carry permits now can be done online

Rick Scott signs Ag Department changes into law

Jeanette Núñez’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, budget conference

Senate recommends $3.6 billion for environmental agencies in 2016-17 budget

Bill to combat gas pump “skimmers” passes Senate panel

Bills would protect Florida consumers from credit card skimmers, data thieves

Peter Schorsch: Don’t throw the daily sports fantasy baby out with the bathwater

Don’t throw the daily sports fantasy baby out with the bathwater

Email Insights: More restaurants to serve ‘Fresh from Florida’ food

South Florida deemed “agricultural state of emergency” area because of fruit flies