Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 5, 2016

Florida’s Department of Transportation will suspend tolls in counties where there are evacuation orders. The National Hurricane Center has called Hurricane Matthew a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. The most recent forecast showed the entire east coast — spanning from Monroe to Nassau counties — could experience tropical storm or […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 18, 2016

When it comes to the funding transportation and infrastructure, Sen. Jack Latvala has good news and bad news. The good: State funding for transportation and infrastructure has bounced back after years of budget cuts. Recent budgets have been record setting, not just when it comes to roads, but all other aspects of transportation. The bad […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 12, 2016

After getting rebuffed in another attempt to secure state incentive money for improvements at its historic track, the Daytona International Speedway has signed on two new lobbying teams with the start of another state fiscal year. The speedway has hired Johnson & Blanton and Southern Strategy Group to represent its interests in Tallahassee. The speedway, […]

Associated PressJune 13, 2016

Six airlines won permission Friday to resume scheduled commercial air service from the U.S. to Cuba for the first time in more than five decades, another milestone in President Barack Obama‘s campaign to normalize relations between Cold War foes. The airlines — American, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest and Sun Country — were approved by […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 29, 2016

The Senate inched closer to the House Transportation and Economic Development budget Monday night with its third proposal, cutting the difference between the two chambers to a couple dozen line items and disagreements on funding sources. The House and Senate came to terms on the Department of Transportation budget earlier Monday, but still had a wide gulf between […]

Ryan RayFebruary 27, 2016

The Senate accepted the House’s offer on funding for the Transportation and Economic Development budget silo, but with a catch – that the two chambers must still work out proviso language on two transportation programs. One of those two programs, which provide services to the transportation disadvantaged, was particularly important to Sen. Audrey Gibson, a Democrat from […]

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 […]

Tag: Department of Transportation
Image via AP.

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

Rick Scott orders FDOT to suspend tolls in counties with Hurricane Matthew evacuations

Jack Latvala talks transportation, infrastructure during AIF symposium

Daytona International Speedway revs up lobbying efforts by hiring Johnson & Blanton, SSG

Tampa bypassed in approved U.S. flights to Cuba

Senate, House TED proposals inch closer, bump other items to budget chiefs

House, Senate agree on TED budget proposal

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