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Staff ReportsApril 30, 2018

Work on the Senate side-grounds of the Florida Capitol and its underground parking garage is nearing an end after the garage was first closed in May 2016. It was shut down when its primary support girder showed signs of stress after years of water intrusion. “Structural work inside the Senate parking garage was completed last […]

Jim RosicaApril 23, 2018

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A month after losing a contract for the state’s first responder radio system, Harris Corp. has filed a public records lawsuit in Tallahassee. The Melbourne-based company filed its complaint last week. It seeks an “expedited hearing” after it asked for information that its competitor, Motorola Solutions, says is covered by a “trade secrets” exemption. The state on March […]

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. […]

Tag: Department of Management Services

Construction on Capitol grounds, underground nears completion

Harris files open records suit over statewide radio contract

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