Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeDecember 7, 2017

Legislation providing for a review of efficiency in government procurement is making its way through the Legislature. St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes’ SB 368 cleared the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government Thursday with a unanimous and undebated yes vote. Brandes’ bill — which is accompanied in the House by Wauchula Republican Rep. Ben Albritton’s […]

Jim RosicaDecember 5, 2017

An “educational display of the astronomy causing the winter solstice” is the first holiday display to gain approval this year for the Florida Capitol rotunda. A “triptych poster,” sponsored by the First Coast Freethought Society of Jacksonville, is approved for display Dec. 15-22. Nina Ashley, spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services, the state’s real […]

Jim RosicaOctober 11, 2017

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is asking for an additional $29.3 million in the 2018-19 state budget to build a local office in Pensacola. An FDLE representative told a meeting of the Florida Cabinet Aides on Wednesday that the budget request was being moved from the Department of Management Services (DMS), the state’s real estate […]

Staff ReportsMarch 17, 2017

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A consultant hired by the state has recommended selling off or demolishing a wide swath of state office buildings in downtown Tallahassee, saying state government’s real estate is at “a critical juncture.” The Tallahassee Democrat reported on the $772,655 study Friday in its online edition. “Many of those are landmark buildings that date back to the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2017

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Another one bites the dust: Chad Poppell has resigned as Secretary of the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate manager. His resignation will be effective on March 31, Gov. Rick Scott announced on Thursday evening. Poppell has been head of DMS since 2014. “Chad Poppell has done an outstanding job and I want to thank […]

Jim RosicaMarch 6, 2017

Work on the grounds of the Florida Capitol and its underground parking garages continues after the Senate garage was closed last May. It was shut down when its primary support girder showed signs of stress after years of water intrusion. “The next milestone for the Senate garage is structural repair as we work to restore […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 10, 2017

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State Rep. Kionne McGhee is calling for a proposed memorial in Florida to honor victims of slavery. The Miami Democrat filed HB 27, which, if passed, would instruct the Department of Management Services to build a Florida Slavery Memorial on the Capitol Complex grounds beginning July 1, 2017. According to the language of the bill: […]

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

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An all-black “Festivus” pole will not be appearing in the Capitol rotunda this holiday season, according to a Department of Management Services spokeswoman. Maggie Mickler said Friday that South Florida-based activist Chaz Stevens emailed the department Thursday evening. He said “he will not be traveling to Tallahassee” to install the display. The department oversees state property and approves proposed holiday displays in the Capitol. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

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The state has OK’d a politically charged “Festivus” pole for display in the Capitol this holiday season. The Department of Management Services, which oversees state property, cleared the pole to have a place in the plaza-level rotunda, spokeswoman Maggie Mickler said Thursday. The all black, six-foot-tall pole “will contain the names of all unarmed black men killed by police in […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2016

A South Florida activist and former blogger has again filed to erect a “Festivus” pole in the state Capitol this year as a holiday display. But this year’s pole has a politically charged twist, according to Chaz Stevens‘ application to the state. “The all black, six-foot-tall Festivus-inspired pole will contain the names of all unarmed black men killed by […]

Tag: Department of Management Services

Bill to review government efficiency sails through committee

T’is the season: First Capitol holiday display approved

FDLE seeking $29M for new Pensacola regional office

Report: Consultant recommends ‘disposing’ of state office buildings

Chad Poppell quits as head of DMS

Construction at Capitol continues underground

Kionne McGhee files House bill for a Florida Slavery Memorial

No joy: Festivus pole will be absent from Capitol this year

Approved: Black “Festivus” pole will be placed in Capitol

Capitol holiday display would pay homage to police shooting victims