Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 30, 2017

As Florida Gov. Rick Scott begins to make the inevitable pivot to a Senate candidate, his remarks from Thursday’s Enterprise Florida board meeting in Jacksonville were worth noting. Scott crystallized the case for his economic strategy, one that has allowed him to frame a narrative of having brought the state back from recession. “We’ve got to […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2017

Chris Hart IV, who last was with Florida TaxWatch, will be the next CEO of the statewide Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers association, according to a Friday press release. He starts Dec. 4. Hart “will provide strong leadership to our association,” said Marcia M. Johnson, Franklin County Clerk and Comptroller and 2017-18 Board President, in a statement. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 30, 2017

At a recent Enterprise Florida board meeting, Gov. Rick Scott praised Jacksonville State Rep. Jay Fant: notable in the context of Fant’s bid for Attorney General. “There are not a lot of people in the Legislature that stood up for us and talked vocally about their support of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida,” Scott said, “and Jay […]

Associated PressAugust 24, 2017

Florida’s tourism marketing agency paid nearly $441,000 in employee bonuses this summer despite months of scrutiny from legislators over spending. A VISIT FLORIDA spokesman said the use of bonuses was approved in May 2016. Stephen Lawson added that VISIT FLORIDA wouldn’t use employee bonuses in the future. VISIT FLORIDA paid the bonuses in July to […]

Staff ReportsJuly 24, 2017

Without surprise or intrigue, the full board of Enterprise Florida (EFI) on Monday hired lawyer and Gov. Rick Scott loyalist Pete Antonacci to be its next leader. The former lobbyist had been recommended as the new CEO by the jobs-recruiting agency’s executive committee during a conference call last week. Scott chairs the EFI board of directors as governor. In […]

Jim RosicaJuly 19, 2017

The executive committee of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development organization, Wednesday recommended lawyer Pete Antonacci to be its next CEO. The vote for Antonacci, formerly Gov. Rick Scott‘s general counsel and now head of the South Florida Water Management District, is largely a formality. The full board is expected to approve Antonacci’s nomination; he’s […]

Staff ReportsJuly 10, 2017

Ken Kahn was appointed to the Enterprise Florida (EFI) Board of Directors, Senate President Joe Negron announced Monday. The appointment begins immediately and expires July 5, 2021. “Ken understands firsthand the opportunities available to businesses seeking to locate or expand here in Florida,” Negron said. “He has a strong educational background and the diverse business and […]

Staff ReportsJune 28, 2017

Chris Hart IV, who stepped down after less than three months as CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI), has taken a post as Executive Vice President of Florida TaxWatch, the organization announced Thursday. “We are thrilled to welcome Chris as part of the Florida TaxWatch family as a key part of our leadership team,” TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

Chalk it up to “passion.” Or politics. Gov. Rick Scott, speaking to reporters after a Wednesday bill signing, explained away the open tension between him and House Speaker Richard Corcoran after the House this year tried to gut VISIT FLORIDA and do away with economic development organization Enterprise Florida, his two favored state agencies. By […]

Michael MolineJune 9, 2017

The House passed the economic incentives package Friday over complaints it would hand Gov. Rick Scott a “slush fund” and make a mockery of the leadership’s professed opposition to picking winners and losers in the economy. The vote was 111-4. The “no” votes were John Cortes, Evan Jenne, McGhee, and Emily Slosberg — all Democrats. The […]

Tag: Enterprise Florida

Rick Scott: ‘There is no place like Florida right now’

Personnel note: Chris Hart IV to head Court Clerks group

Rick Scott describes AG candidate Jay Fant as ‘a leader’

Despite scrutiny Florida’s tourism agency paid out bonuses

It’s official: Pete Antonacci hired as Enterprise Florida CEO

Pete Antonacci likely next head of Enterprise Florida

Personnel note: Ken Kahn named to EFI board

Personnel note: Chris Hart IV joins Florida TaxWatch

Rick Scott: No hard feelings between him and Richard Corcoran

The economic incentives bill clears the House by a lopsided vote