Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 16, 2016

A decades-old law dealing with airport zoning is getting an update. The House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee approved a proposal Tuesday that updates the state’s Airport Zoning Law of 1945. The law governs land use and airspace management at or around the state’s airports. The measure (HB 1379) essentially modernizes the rules regulating […]

Peter SchorschJuly 15, 2015

As Florida Politics reported in April, an ongoing procurement process within the Department of Transportation over a contract worth hundreds of millions has taken some strange turns, including a $3.6 million settlement payment to a firm that was not only ranked third in a competitive bidding process, but also left the State of Florida in a lurch when it previously […]

James CallApril 14, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes has never been shy about his dislike of red-light cameras. Last year, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability released a stinging report on how local governments use the cameras. In response, Brandes filed legislation to rein in their use. “There are perverse incentives inherent in the red-light camera program,” […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 13, 2015

Former Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad is going back to the Missouri-based consulting firm he left to head the state agency. HNTB Corporation announced Prasad has returned to lead the firm’s transportation practice, concentrating on working with state transportation departments. Prasad, a professional engineer, spent two years with HNTB prior to taking the […]

Ryan RayJanuary 9, 2015

St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes, long a staunch critic of local governments installing red- light cameras, vowed this week to reject any legislation that would expand the use of the enforcement by camera of traffic infractions. Brandes was moved to declare his opposition during a discussion at a Friday meeting of the Senate Transportation […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 24, 2014

What a difference a year makes — an election year especially — when it comes to a bike trail connector across Central Florida. In May 2013, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a $50-million appropriation for the “Coast to Coast Connector” that would link 275 miles of bike trails across the region. Scott told reporters last year […]

Tag: Department of Transportation
Bernie Navarro. Image via Facebook (Benworth Capital).

House panel OKs changes to 71-year-old airport zoning law

A strange FDOT procurement process gets even squirrelier

Jeff Brandes makes another run at red-light cameras

Former FDOT chief Ananth Prasad rejoins Missouri consulting firm

Sen. Jeff Brandes puts his foot down on red-light cameras

Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Rick Scott and the bike trail: What a difference an election year makes