Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 6, 2016

FloridaPolitics.com obtained a copy of internal talking points designed to help Jacksonville officials sell the Florida Department of Transportation on advocating a $24 million TIGER Grant for JAXPORT. This project, claims the talking points, “will make JAXPORT the largest wood pellet terminal in the U.S. and enhance U.S. exports by two million tons of manufactured wood pellets […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 5, 2016

Tomas Martinelli is leaving his post at the Florida Department of Transportation and joining the team at Airbnb. Martinelli announced his move in an email Sunday. “As you may know, the people-powered platform and the culture that steers Airbnb makes this opportunity/project an exciting one,” he said. “Although, it wasn’t easy leaving the best agency in […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday unanimously overturned former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s conviction on corruption charges. In case you’ve forgotten, McDonnell and his wife Maureen accepted more than $175,000 in nice gifts, such as $6,000 Rolex watches and $20,000 in designer clothing from a dude named Jonnie Williams, who was swarming around the couple in […]

Joe HendersonJune 23, 2016

An essential part of the libertarian ideal is a belief that for public services, consumers should pay as they go. The preference is user fees instead of taxes. As we well know, Gov. Rick Scott has strong libertarian leanings. Keep that in mind while considering the 12-4 vote by the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization to […]

Staff ReportsJune 22, 2016

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Florida Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold continues to beef up his staff, now adding Frank Collins, who has been deputy chief of staff to Gov. Rick Scott. Collins will take the new job of “senior policy advisor” to Boxold, whom Scott named secretary in December 2014. Most recently as deputy CoS, Collins had overseen agencies like Space Florida, Visit Florida, […]

Mitch PerryJune 16, 2016

Although Lisa Montelione announced last fall that she would challenge fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary election this August, she didn’t officially submit her resign-to-run letter announcing her departure from the Tampa City Council until last Friday. She wrote she was submitting her resignation with “a heavy heart,” and jokingly said Wednesday night that putting […]

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2016

When the Florida Department of Transportation announced their plans to add toll lanes to I-275 in what is now known as the Tampa Bay Express project, Tampa Heights residents reacted in shock last year. FDOT officials said that as part of the ultimate construction of the project, there are properties in Seminole Heights and Tampa […]

Ryan RayApril 4, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott gave his signature Monday to an omnibus transportation bill that makes about a dozen changes to state law regarding the Florida Department of Transportation. Scott’s final approval of HB 7027 means numerous sundry changes for FDOT, one of the largest aspects of the budget and a prominent area of policy for Floridians who travel the state’s […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

On Monday, the Senate unanimously passed House Bill 7027, a broadly worded bill that seeks to reform several policies and programs for the Florida Department of Transportation. After senators adopted a series of amendments, LobbyTools reports the bill now returns to the House. Among the amendments were adding language to encourage the development of transportation policy for […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 6, 2016

Polk County business leaders and legislators are readying for a possible end run around the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to postpone and perhaps even stop support for the Central Polk Parkway toll road … maybe a half-end run. Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican who has chaired the Central Polk Parkway Working Group […]

Tag: FDOT

JAXPORT makes play to dominate wood pellet export sector

Personnel note: Tomas Martinelli headed to Airbnb

Mitch Perry Report for 6.28.16 — SCOTUS ruling on McDonnell case must delight compromised politicos across the land

Joe Henderson: Rick Scott, libertarians love TBX; everyone else can suck exhaust

Personnel note: Frank Collins moves from EOG to FDOT

Lisa Montelione anticipates ‘increasing’ public service by running for state Legislature

Hillsborough state and local lawmakers celebrate bipartisanship in saving the Tampa Heights community center

Rick Scott signs omnibus FDOT bill into law

Senate unanimously passes broad transportation bill, sends to House

Maybe Polk County will build a toll road, anyway