Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

Characterizing Virgin Trains USA’s agreement offering safety upgrades while ending some longtime opposition as a good first step, more is needed, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield said Tuesday. Mayfield intends to keep the pressure on the private railroad company seeking to extend passenger train service. Over the weekend, Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline (and All Aboard […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2018

All Aboard Florida received state approval Wednesday to sell $1.75 billion in federal private equity bonds to extend its private, high-speed, Brightline passenger train system from South Florida to Orlando. Meeting in Orlando, the Florida Development Finance Corp. board voted unanimously to grant state permission for the financing after more than three hours of public […]

Michael MolineAugust 6, 2018

Florida’s no-fault insurance system continues to generate fraud, judging by allegations in a lawsuit that insurer State Farm filed in federal court. The suit, filed in the Southern District of Florida on Aug. 1, alleges three clinics cheated it out of $4.7 million. Will suits like these help break the policy logjam that has prevented […]

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

The political arm of the Florida Realtors rolled out endorsements Monday for nearly every state legislative election slated for the 2018 ballot. “As Realtors, we pride ourselves on our long-standing efforts to defend private property rights, promote community prosperity and preserve a professional climate that ensures the economic growth of Florida,” said Ann DeFries, chair […]

Scott PowersMay 24, 2018

State Rep. Erin Grall is charging that an All Aboard Florida representative made “misrepresentations” in congressional testimony supporting the department’s approval of tax-exempt bonds to finance the company’s Brightline higher-speed passenger train proposal to connect Miami and Orlando. Grall, among Florida lawmakers from the Treasure Coast who are opposed to the train, sent a letter […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A measure to expand workers’ compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder has passed the Legislature unanimously and now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman on Monday said the governor will “review the legislation” when received, but would not commit to Scott’s approval. The legislation is a priority of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, also […]

Scott PowersMarch 2, 2018

With the derailment of bills seeking state regulation of the private Brightline passenger train system, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield has gotten language inserted into the Senate budget plan that would authorize a safety study of the train. The budget proposal includes new language that would authorize a transportation research center at the University of South […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2018

Floridians are blessed with a low cost of living. When comparing the cost of housing, utilities, transportation, health, or the overall cost of living, Florida is lower than the U.S. average. Why, then, is Florida ranked among the five most expensive states for car insurance? The answer is, in part, because of a broken statutory […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 8, 2018

A House bill that would do away with the “most commonly performed” method of abortion in Florida was advanced on Wednesday, with some Republicans welcoming challenges in court if it is deemed unconstitutional upon passage. The chances of the bill passing this Session, however, are unlikely. The companion bill in the Senate has yet to hold […]

Scott PowersFebruary 6, 2018

Based on the results of a records request state Sen. Debbie Mayfield and state Rep. Erin Grall conducted, Indian River County Attorney Dylan Reingold declared Tuesday morning that Florida can legally regulate Brightline trains, and that the Department of Transportation knows that. Reingold cited correspondence Mayfield and Grall dug up that shows the Federal Railroad […]

Tag: Erin Grall

Debbie Mayfield intends to keep pressure on Virgin Trains USA

Brightline gets state approval to sell construction bonds

New lawsuit highlights legislative logjam over PIP reform

Florida Realtors make endorsements in 87 legislative races

Erin Grall charges All Aboard Florida with ‘misrepresentations’

Bill to help first responders heads to Rick Scott

With train bills dead, safety study language appears in Senate budget offer

Stephanie Smith: Florida Senate should vote to fix auto insurance laws

Republicans advance bill banning certain abortions, welcome court challenges

Florida can regulate Brightline, Indian River attorney says