Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would create a program recognizing businesses that hire or support disabled workers cleared its first Senate committee stop Tuesday by a unanimous vote. SB 388 directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to work with CareerSource Florida to develop the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, chaired by the bill’s sponsor, […]

Ryan RayOctober 7, 2015

Department of Economic Opportunity head Jesse Panuccio faced a battery of pointed questions and criticism over an executive branch battle with a labor group and the state’s beleaguered unemployment system in a Wednesday meeting of a Senate budget panel. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Tourism, Transportation and Economic Development Chairman Jack Latvala had originally requested the presence […]

Phil AmmannOctober 5, 2015

Florida lawmakers gave no money for sports stadium projects during the 2015 Legislative Session. But that was last session. With a new application period approaching, Legislative IQ powered by Lobby Tools reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Sports Authority are expected to seek state funds for renovations at Raymond James Stadium. This week, the Bucs announced details of […]

Drew WilsonOctober 1, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that an Ohio-based logistics company will add 100 jobs and make $560,000 in capital investments in Volusia County. “TQL already employs approximately 450 Floridians and the creation of 100 additional jobs in Daytona Beach is exciting news. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created more than 940,000 private-sector jobs,” Scott […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott gave a progress report Thursday on a 30-job expansion for panhandle manufacturing company Fort Walton Machining. “I am excited to visit Fort Walton Machining today to celebrate their recent job growth,” Scott said in a news release. “We have made a lot of exciting jobs announcements this week because Florida is on […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 15, 2015

A deal between Florida and a private space flight company owned by the CEO of Amazon promises to pump 330 new jobs and $200 million in investments into the Space Coast. Gov. Rick Scott announced the deal Tuesday alongside Amazon head Jeff Bezos, who said Florida beat out about a dozen other states vying for […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 4, 2015

As we join family and friends at barbeques, pool parties, and picnics this weekend, it is worth reflecting on Florida’s remarkable economic turnaround. This Labor Day, Florida’s workforce is presented with pathways to prosperity that were unthinkable just a few years ago. The Great Recession hit Florida hard. Our unemployment rate skyrocketed to 11.2 percent, […]

Ryan RayAugust 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott said Monday he has opened up an emergency loan mechanism called the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to make state funding available for businesses affected by recent flooding across the Tampa Bay region. “I saw firsthand the devastating flood damage in the Tampa Bay area communities earlier this month, and we will […]

Drew WilsonAugust 11, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott’s office said Tuesday that online job openings have jumped during the past year, with July’s openings marking the state’s highest since May 2005. “The demand for jobs across the state is growing and the good news is that we have many opportunities available for families to get a great job in Florida,” Scott said. “By cutting […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJuly 22, 2015

Job growth in Florida leads the nation’s 10 most populous states. Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday the private-sector growth rate was 3.9 percent in June. The Scott administration said this is the fourth month in a row Florida has bested the other nine most populous states for the top job growth. “These positive economic trends […]

Tag: Department of Economic Opportunity

Bill to recognize businesses who support disabled workers clears first hurdle

Jack Latvala, Senate budget panel clash with DEO chief on unemployment

Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect to apply for stadium renovation subsidies in 2016

Gov. Scott announces TQL expansion will create 100 new jobs in Daytona Beach

Rick Scott highlights job growth with Fort Walton Machining expansion

New Blue Origin launch facility to create 330 Brevard County jobs, governor says

Jesse Panuccio: Florida workers have much to celebrate this Labor Day

Tampa Bay area’s severe flooding prompts state emergency loan program

Rick Scott says online job demand on rise in Florida

Florida leads big states in June job creation, Rick Scott says