Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 26, 2018

It’s only been eight years since Tallahassee’s “Taj Mahal” courthouse scandal made headlines, sparking an investigation into the state’s decision to fund a lavish $48 million building for the 1st District Court of Appeals. Granite counter tops, flat screen TVs and framed artwork were among the building’s high-end amenities. Now, it appears another Taj Mahal, […]

Jim RosicaMay 5, 2018

A lawyer for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has told a Tallahassee judge that “at least two federal agencies” and Miami-Dade police are pursuing criminal investigations into March’s collapse of a pedestrian bridge at the Florida International University campus. The disclosure came in a letter sent this week to Circuit Judge John Cooper, who’s presiding […]

Ana CeballosMarch 2, 2018

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A quiet change proposed Thursday under a wide-ranging commercial motor vehicle bill would strip the power of a transportation panel and give the governor sole discretion over the appointment of the state’s top transportation official. State law tasks the Florida Transportation Commission to recommend three names to the governor when it comes to choosing the […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 23, 2018

Florida could soon be unified under one time zone. An amendment to a state bill (SB 585) that seeks year-round observance of daylight saving time, or ‘spring forward’ time, would ask Congress to authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to allow the entire state to observe Eastern Standard Time. In Florida, Central Standard Time observance begins at […]

Phil AmmannMay 31, 2017

Among the five bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Rick Scott is HB 865, an omnibus measure that reforms several areas in the Florida Department of Transportation. LobbyTools reports that the bill, in part, mandates the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to get DOT approval on contracts before receiving department money. The department must also submit a […]

Guest AuthorMay 26, 2017

When disasters happen, whether natural or man-made, emergency responders work in unison to protect the public. In the case of a hurricane, even before the heavy winds bear down on communities, emergency responders are already implementing plans to help residents get out of areas at risk, safely and swiftly. Behind the scenes utility companies, government […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 25, 2017

Sen. Rene Garcia is weighing in on a multi-million dollar bridge project planned for South Florida, telling the Florida Department of Transportation that the Miami-Dade community can’t wait any longer. In a letter to FDOT Secretary Rachel Cone this week, Garcia said he was confident the procurement process established by the state transportation agency “followed […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

The operators of South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter train are sticking to their guns, defending their process that disqualified five of six bidders for a half-billion dollar contract, and hoping to win back angry state leaders who want to cut their state funding over the matter. “Right now, we’re moving forward. We followed a process, and we […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott Monday officially announced the resignation of state Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold after FloridaPolitics.com broke the story of his departure last Friday night. Boxold’s resignation is effective Feb. 3, the governor said in a statement. Rachel Cone, who is now Assistant Secretary for Finance and Administration, will serve as interim secretary. Later Monday, the governmental […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2017

In the second of two surprise departures from the Gov. Rick Scott administration, the secretary of the state’s Department of Transportation is expected to step down to pursue a career in the private sector. Jim Boxold, who was appointed in December 2014 to succeed Ananth Prasad, is leaving to join the governmental affairs firm Capital City Consulting, […]

Tag: Department of Transportation
Memorial Day weekend could prove deadly if advice is not heeded to prevent drownings.

Taj Mahal Part Deux?

NTSB confirms local, federal criminal investigation into FIU bridge collapse

Governor would have sole discretion over FDOT head appointment under proposal

Daylight saving time bill could change Panhandle time zone

Rick Scott signs DOT reform bill

Gary Croke: Past hurricanes help prepare for tomorrow

Rene Garcia: ‘The people of Miami-Dade County … cannot wait any longer’ for signature bridge

Tri-Rail sticking with, defending, controversial $500M, one-bid contract

It’s official: Jim Boxold resigns as state Transportation secretary

Jim Boxold to step down as DOT head for lobbying job