Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 1, 2016

Enterprise Florida board members approved a plan to slash spending and restructure the state’s public-private economic development agency. The EFI board of directors voted overwhelmingly to approve recommendations to cut about $6 million. The board approved about a dozen recommendations, including closing offices, ending contracts and eliminating 26 positions. Eliminating the positions will save the […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2016

Stephen Lawson tells FloridaPolitics.com he’s departing as communications director for Enterprise Florida for the same job at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Lawson’s last day at EFI is Thursday. He starts at DBPR next week, replacing Chelsea Eagle. She wasn’t immediately available Wednesday. Eagle departs in the wake of a high-profile battle with […]

Mitch PerryJune 1, 2016

Americans for Prosperity-Florida is calling on lawmakers from both sides of Tampa Bay not to use public taxpayer dollars in the financing of any potential new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. “As the Rays search for a potential new sandlot to call home, their focus should steer clear of calling on taxpayers to sacrifice […]

Peter SchorschMay 15, 2016

As he gets ready to “go home,” as departing legislators like to say, outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner has no regrets or hard feelings. He did have choice words regarding lobbyists for gambling concerns, however: They “just get greedy.” Gardiner, an opponent of gambling expansion, recently sat down with Capital Correspondent Jim Rosica for an “exit interview.” He leaves office later this […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

Rick Scott is headed to the Bayou State. Scott announced Wednesday he plans to embark on an economic trade mission to Louisiana this summer. He made the announcement during the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meeting. “I’ll be going to Louisiana this summer to get jobs,” he said. “I think we have good opportunities.” The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

In one of his final meetings, Bill Johnson encouraged the business community to keep doing what it can to attract companies to the Sunshine State. “I traveled about 30,000 miles in the last year or so and I’ve been in almost every single county in the state,” said Johnson, the departing head of Enterprise Florida. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

Major changes could be coming to Enterprise Florida. A review of the state’s public-private economic development agency found it could save $6 million through a series of cuts, including slashing 27 positions and reducing operating costs. Gov. Rick Scott in March ordered a review of the state’s public-private economic development organization. The Naples Republican tapped […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 10, 2016

The departing head of the state’s private-public economic development agency will receive more than $132,000 as part of his severance package. The Enterprise Florida board of directors’ executive committee approved Bill Johnson’s severance package during its committee meeting Tuesday. Johnson will receive $132,500. His final day is June 24. Alan Becker, the vice chair of […]

Mitch PerryMay 3, 2016

During the past Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature denied one of Gov. Rick Scott’s signature issues — a $250 economic incentives funding plan to encourage businesses to locate or expand in Florida. It was not only a blow to the governor’s ego (and list of priorities), but also disappointed those in the economic development camp, such […]

Peter SchorschMay 1, 2016

Among the four top statewide officials, no one walked away a winner from last week’s battle over the next insurance commissioner. Neither Gov. Rick Scott nor CFO Jeff Atwater got the candidate he wanted, with both settling on the third name Atwater threw out at Friday’s emergency Cabinet meeting, David Altmaier. And that was by a design that Atwater himself, […]

Tag: Enterprise Florida

Enterprise Florida board approves staff cuts, cost reductions

Personnel note: Stephen Lawson heading to DBPR

AFP-Florida warns Tampa Bay lawmakers to not use taxpayers $ for potential Rays stadium

Peter Schorsch: From the ‘gambling boys’ to (un)popularity contests

Bayou bound: Rick Scott to travel to Louisiana for job hunting trip this summer

Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson: ‘Public-private partnerships play an important role in how we sell Florida’

Enterprise Florida could save $6M through a series of cuts, reorganization

Bill Johnson to receive $132K as part of severance package

Tampa Bay House Republicans bearish on Rick Scott’s economic incentives in 2017

Peter Schorsch: Testy process, minimum wage debate, geese tips