Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2016

AT&T Corp. on Friday lost its appeal over a contract potentially worth $360 million that went to competitor Harris Corp. to provide phone and internet service to the State of Florida. A unanimous panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the Department of Management Services (DMS) to award the contract to a wholly owned […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 5, 2016

State offices in more than two dozen counties will be closed beginning Thursday, and counties up and down the east coast are encouraging residents to evacuate ahead Hurricane Matthew. The state Department of Management Services closed state offices in 26 counties on Thursday and Friday. The announcement came as Hurricane Matthew barrels over the Bahamas […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2016

Waterproofing in the Capitol’s underground parking garages now will have to removed because it’s “carcinogenic,” a state official said Wednesday. Tom Berger, director of the Real Estate Development and Management Division, spoke in front of a Cabinet aides meeting in the Capitol. The division is part of the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate […]

Gary FineoutJune 2, 2016

A new audit is critical of how the administration of Gov. Rick Scott oversaw a state worker charity campaign. Florida auditors reported the Department of Management Services did not initially document costs incurred by the vendor hired to oversee the charitable campaign. The audit also found that between January 2013 and December 2015, state officials did not […]

Phil AmmannMay 9, 2016

With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off and on: Maggie Mickler is no longer press secretary for the Senate Majority Leader’s office. She has become director of communications at the Department of Management Services. On: LaQuisha Persak has become the new […]

Ryan RayApril 5, 2016

The Department of Management Services’ Joint Task Force panel detailed on Tuesday how $7 million allocated for state law enforcement radios last year will be spent, possibly giving a clue into how another $7 million appropriated for SLERS during the 2016 Legislative Session may be allocated as well. The funding item has been the topic of a […]

Ryan RayFebruary 29, 2016

The Committee on Government Operations Appropriations/General Government Appropriation held its fourth and final meeting of the budget conferencing period Monday morning. Chairwoman Rep. Jeanette Nunez and Vice Chairman Sen. Alan Hays closed out “back of the bill” differences, but couldn’t agree on about a dozen line items. They will be “bumped up” for consideration by chief budget writers […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

Two Republican lawmakers have filed legislation allowing for private companies to invest in the state’s social services and other programs with the opportunity to make a profit “only if there are proven results.” State Rep. Chris Sprowls of Palm Harbor and state Sen. Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach filed bills (HB 1049/SB 1200) in their respective chambers. The […]

Tag: Department of Management Services

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

Capitol holiday display would pay homage to police shooting victims

Court rejects AT&T appeal over $360M state contract

Rick Scott: ‘Our No. 1 priority is protecting life’

Capitol parking garage waterproofing is ‘carcinogenic’

Audit criticizes Rick Scott administration over charity contract

Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

State police radio funding, next procurement to begin this summer

Government ops budgets inch closer but law enforcement radios dispute remains

Legislation would allow for private capital in state’s social services