Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonDecember 3, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott touted new data released by an online job listing tracker Thursday that shows Florida had about 300,000 job openings in November. According to Help Wanted OnLine’s data, the state had 299,530 job openings listed online last month, an increase of 19,272 listings over October numbers. The figure includes the number of first-time […]

Ryan RayDecember 3, 2015

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity issued a final order Thursday afternoon ruling that drivers for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are “independent contractors” rather than employees per se. As such, drivers for the transportation network companies do not qualify for unemployment benefits, which are paid in part by former employers of laid off workers. “The Department finds […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

An organization that bills itself as “Florida’s largest statewide small business lender” is asking an appeals court to reconsider an opinion against it. The Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida last week filed a request for a full rehearing by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in a case involving a low-interest loan program for the state’s small businesses. On […]

Associated PressNovember 20, 2015

Florida’s unemployment rate is still continuing to dip slightly. The October unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, compared with 5.2 percent in the previous month. According to figures released Friday by the Department of Economic Opportunity, the state added 35,200 jobs last month. The jobless rate remains higher than the national rate of 5 percent with […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2015

State Sens. Nancy Detert and Jack Latvala delivered a one-two punch to the state’s moribund Film Office, essentially telling Film Commissioner Niki Welge she was being set up for failure. Welge appeared Tuesday before the Senate Commerce and Tourism committee, which Detert — a Venice Republican — chairs. Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, is another member. […]

Staff ReportsNovember 12, 2015

The Department of Economic Opportunity today announced Morgan L. McCord will take over as the agency’s new Press Secretary. DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio welcomed McCord, a longtime communications pro, to the department in a statement Thursday afternoon. “Morgan’s strong relationships with the media will help DEO share what Florida is doing to promote economic growth and employment opportunities […]

Associated PressNovember 10, 2015

Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs is making plans to lay off more than 450 workers. According to a notice posted on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website Monday, the company plans 468 layoffs to take place between Jan. 6 and 19. In February Planet Hollywood said it was transforming its Orlando flagship location into […]

Jim RosicaNovember 9, 2015

A Florida appeals court has largely upheld a ruling for the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in a case involving a low-interest loan program for the state’s small businesses. A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal on Monday sided with DEO on a summary judgment in a suit brought by the Black Business […]

Drew WilsonNovember 5, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday that a logistics company will expand operations in Dania Beach, adding 60 jobs and investing about $600,000 in the area. Total Quality Logistics already has made a couple of expansion announcements in 2015. The company said it would add 100 jobs in Daytona Beach in early October, and in May […]

Associated PressNovember 3, 2015

Several of Florida’s professional sports teams are trying again to win state money from the Florida Legislature. State officials said Monday that they had received requests to spend money on the stadiums used by the Miami Dolphins, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The state has also received a funding request from Daytona […]

Tag: Department of Economic Opportunity

Florida job demand in November at 10-year high, led by Tampa Bay

DEO rules Uber drivers are independent contractors for employment purposes

Losing side in DEO appeal wants yet another chance

Florida jobless rate continues to dip slightly

Senate panel rakes over state’s film commissioner and incentives deal

Personnel Note: Morgan McCord named new press secretary at DEO

Disney’s Planet Hollywood to lay off 468 workers next year

Appeals court sides with DEO in contract case

Governor announces logistics firm expansion, 60 new jobs in Dania Beach

Florida pro sports teams make another push for state money