Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 25, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has never been shy about poaching jobs from Democratic states — or dropping ads against political opponents. Next week he’s set to go to deep-blue California to persuade businesses to relocate to Florida, and the public-private economic development agency Enterprise Florida has prepared a brutal ad for the occasion. The one-minute spot trashes the Golden State and, […]

Ryan RayFebruary 28, 2016

House and Senate budget conferees remain some distance away from reconciling their varying budget proposals, with a nominal $8 million and several line items standing between lawmakers and a unified budget proposal to send to Gov. Rick Scott. The elephant in the room? Neither proposal circulating in the Conference Committee on House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations/Senate […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

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After a debate that included mentions of monsters, Robert A. Heinlein and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Florida House of Representatives Wednesday passed its 2016 business and economic incentives package, including the framework for Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. As bill sponsor Jim Boyd reminded members, it still has no funding: “This is a structure bill, […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

Day 2 of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual International Days event continued Wednesday, with Consuls General and business liaisons from around the world hearing from top state officials in Tallahassee. In his introductory remarks, Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson relayed a poignant story from a dinner Tuesday night that brought the annual confab into focus. […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 23, 2016

House lawmakers spent nearly two hours Tuesday setting up the chamber’s 2016 business and economic incentives package, which will likely be debated and voted on by that chamber on Wednesday. A line of Democrats barraged sponsor Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, with questions on the measure (HB 1325) before it was finally rolled over to a third […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 19, 2016

The bill meant to be the vehicle for the House of Representatives’ 2016 business and economic incentives package will be considered by the full chamber soon. But it still doesn’t have a dollar amount. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli yanked the legislation (HB 1325) from its remaining committee stops this week, meaning it will go straight to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2016

Senate Republican Leader Bill Galvano on Tuesday said he was “surprised” that Gov. Rick Scott made no mention of a new deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would allow them to keep offering blackjack at their casinos. “It is what it is,” he said. “I think everybody involved in the process around that […]

Shannon NickinsonNovember 10, 2015

It’s Scott Luth’s job to find jobs. As the head of FloridaWest, Escambia County’s economic development agency, Luth is the point-man for selling Pensacola as the pick of the litter in the Southeast. “All the companies that we work with are net importers of wealth and that’s where we focus,” Luth says. “That’s everything from […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 16, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott, who attended state Rep. Richard Corcoran‘s designation ceremony Wednesday, took time for a few questions afterward. On Corcoran’s proposed 12-year term limit for Florida judges: “When I see all the things that are proposed by the House and the Senate, I’ll be glad to review them.” On funding for the state’s economic […]

Tag: economic development
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Rick Scott drops radio ad attacking California minimum wage hike ahead of ‘trade mission’

House, Senate TED budget writers still unresolved on DEO funding

House, Senate agree on TED budget proposal

House passes incentives measure desired by Rick Scott

Florida Chamber’s International Days continue with talks from high-level state officials

House members grapple with incentives funding process

House economic incentives bill heading to floor

State of the State: Bill Galvano “surprised” at no mention of Seminole Compact

Shannon Nickinson: Try assessing why jobs pass Pensacola by

Rick Scott “gaggles” with reporters after designation ceremony