Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

The number of tourists flocking to Florida keeps growing to record numbers. And this time it’s a big one. Gov. Rick Scott will announce Thursday during a visit to Disney World that 105 million tourists made their way to Florida last year. That’s according to preliminary estimates prepared by Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 17, 2016

Sen. Joe Negron’s SB 832 declares that “fantasy contests” — meaning endeavors such as DraftKings and FanDuel — “involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling, gaming or games of chance.” Negron, R-Stuart and a Senate-president-to-be, would regulate this non-gambling via a newly created Office of Amusement. It’s not “gambling,” it’s an […]

Melissa RossJune 24, 2015

With resolutely positive messaging, outgoing Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is reflecting on his four years in office by noting the accomplishments that he says make him most proud: pension reform, downtown development, and the growth of the city as a sports and entertainment destination. On the pension deal: “I’m very happy for the hardworking taxpayers […]

Daniel TilsonJune 23, 2015

The tall, thin man stood surveying the inside of the giant warehouse full of forgotten, misbegotten and just plain old rotten rejects and has-beens. He stood frozen a few moments before looking up at countless 50-foot-high rows of hopelessly overloaded dark metal shelving and storage units as far as the eye could see. His head […]

Mitch PerryJune 2, 2015

Blame Rand Paul. The U.S. Senate is in session again Tuesday, and will be voting on amendments to the USA Freedom Act, which represents the first significant rollback of NSA surveillance that has been approved. Or at least that’s what the House did. Now the Senate will be working on a bill, which means Marco Rubio […]

Guest AuthorMarch 25, 2015

I recently met someone from Bolivia through a mutual friend. She was telling me how different it is in Florida, as no one ever is outside or takes walks. I thought that was an odd statement, given that I see plenty of fellow Floridians outside enjoying our beautiful state. Then I thought: The difference is that […]

James CallJanuary 9, 2015

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said he has no strong feelings about gambling but when talking about cards, he knows how to hold them – close to his chest. A card game provision in a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe expires in August. The overall agreement gives the tribe exclusive rights to table games […]

Guest AuthorNovember 2, 2014

Over the years, I’ve observed that Floridians want their politicians to be driven by Florida values. This election season, voters must be wondering: how has Gov. Rick Scott lived up to key Sunshine State commitments? Rewarding hard work:  Floridians don’t want handouts they believe in working for a living. That’s why they believe in […]

Guest AuthorJuly 1, 2014

Walt Disney, whose anthropomorphic bent morphed a large, rat-like urban scavenger into beloved Bambi and made us cry, was a piker compared to today’s U.S. Supreme Court. Or at least that five-guy majority bent on turning for-profit corporations into people. Thanks to the Supremes, corporations can donate front-end loaders of cash to political causes with […]

Guest AuthorJune 19, 2014

Walt Disney World is without a doubt an amazing enterprise. In creating a place built on fantasy, nostalgia and imagination, it is truly Florida’s jewel. One of the largest employers in Florida, Disney is responsible for the influx of millions of tourists to our state and billions in revenue. Even our small attempts at state-wide […]

Tag: disney world
Image via Rick Scott Senate office.

Sun, sand & theme parks bring record number of tourists

Jac VerSteeg: Fantasy sports aren’t gambling? How amusing

Alvin Brown says, “I kept my promises”

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott phones it in with 2015 tax-cutting "victory tour"

Mitch Perry Report for 6.2.15 — U.S. senators doing their jobs

Alaina Bernard: Orlando culture forming stepping stones for the future

Speaker Steve Crisafulli plays Seminole Compact cards close to the vest

Ralph Nader: Nine Florida values that Rick Scott opposes

Linda Cunningham: Hobby Lobby ruling puts us on a slippery legal slope

Gary Stein: Behind the Disney magic, reality bites back for those who work there