Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2017

Sarasota Republican Rep. Joe Gruters voiced his support for state economic development arms Enterprise Florida and VISIT Florida in an op-ed published Tuesday. Gruters said the two organizations are “effective tools helping us to compete with other states to bring jobs and investments home to benefit our communities,” and that he “cannot support a proposal […]

Michael MolineMarch 6, 2017

The House Rules committee voted, 15-3, Monday to kill state support for 23 economics development programs worth around $200 million , including Enterprise Florida, but spared Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion organization. The members then voted, 15-2, to subject Visit Florida to stringent oversight, comparable to contract, pay, and disclosure requirements that apply to […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2017

The Florida branch of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity announced its 2017 legislative priorities Friday; dismantling Enterprise Florida is on the top of the list. “In 2015 the Governor boldly stated that ‘taxpayers are better investors than government.’ We completely agree. That’s why we’re calling on both chambers to put politics aside and work […]

Phil AmmannMarch 6, 2017

Citing a lack of “common vision” with Gov. Rick Scott, Chris Hart IV has resigned as Enterprise Florida’s president and CEO. Hart, who had previously served as the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, was unanimously selected November 30 by the enterprise Florida board of directors for the job that paid between $175,000 and $200,000 a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2017

This is the first legislative session that South Florida’s Oscar Braynon II will be the Senate’s Democratic Leader. The 40-year-old, who succeeded term-limited former Leader Arthenia Joyner, was first elected in 2011 after serving in the House and on the Miami Gardens City Council before that. Though he’s in the minority, Braynon has high hopes […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2017

A Thursday meeting between Jacksonville City Councilmen Jim Love and Aaron Bowman proved to be mutually beneficial. Love, unlike last year when he thought Bowman lacked enough council experience for the VP role, agreed to back Bowman. This brings the pledge count in the race for the vice-presidency to two for Bowman and three for Scott Wilson. And […]

William PatrickMarch 2, 2017

Democratic lawmaker David Richardson appears to be getting his Enterprise Florida wish from his conservative House colleagues. The Miami Beach state rep won’t be getting a grant from the taxpayer-supported economic incentive organization; rather he’ll soon have a chance to help abolish it. House leadership, headed by Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, will be splitting […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 1, 2017

When Florida Gov. Rick Scott makes a “Fighting for Florida Jobs” stop in a town, it’s not so he can study the local traffic patterns. Rather, it’s intended to send a message to local Republicans: the Florida House is getting in the way of the gubernatorial agenda relative to Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida. Wednesday afternoon found […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 1, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott will be in the Jacksonville media market Wednesday afternoon, visiting Orange Park for a “Fighting for Florida Jobs” roundtable. The Scott visit, which addresses the benefits of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, lands in the heart of Rep. Travis Cummings‘ district. Cummings was among a number of Republican legislators called out in an email to […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 27, 2017

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In a letter to fellow members, state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz says House leadership now is planning to bifurcate its legislation to eliminate Enterprise Florida and to overhaul VISIT FLORIDA. The Senate, however, so far still intends to keep Enterprise Florida as part of its economic development tool chest. On Monday, Diaz – the Miami-Dade Republican who chairs the House […]

Tag: Enterprise Florida

Joe Gruters voices support for incentives programs in op-ed

House Rules Committee votes to kill most economic-development programs

Dismantling Enterprise Florida is a top priority for AFP-FL

Enterprise Florida CEO Chris Hart resigns, citing lack of ‘common vision’ with Rick Scott

2017 Legislative Session preview: Oscar Braynon on juvenile justice, incentives and Chance the Rapper

Jim Love and Aaron Bowman align on Jax Council VP race, Enterprise Florida

Does splitting bill in two edge Enterprise Florida closer to chopping block?

Rick Scott defends incentives, bashes Travis Cummings in Orange Park

Rick Scott to work Jacksonville media market Wednesday

House splitting legislation on incentives, tourism funding