Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 14, 2017

A bill that would roll back all local ordinances and regulations of vacation rental houses to 2011 codes got a split-vote approval Tuesday from the House Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee. The issue was fashioned as one pitting property rights — those of people or companies that buy houses and convert them into short-term vacation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 10, 2017

A Senate bill filed this week would create a task force to address the state’s affordable housing needs. The bill (SB 854), filed Friday by Sen. Jeff Brandes, would create an affordable housing task force assigned to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. According to the St. Petersburg Republican’s proposal, the task force would be charged […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 10, 2017

The Florida Retail Federation has hired Scott Shalley as its next president and chief executive officer. He replaces Randy Miller who is retiring, the federation said, and also will direct the Georgia Retail Association. Shalley will be the sixth person to lead the federation during its 80-year history. Word of the impending development first appeared […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2016

The city of Jacksonville spends over $200,000 a year for association memberships, such as the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, National Association of Counties and U.S. Conference of Mayors. But some council members contend that the money isn’t being optimally spent, because restricted travel budgets don’t allow Jacksonville to represent its own […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 26, 2016

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Lisa Hurley, legislative director for the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), has turned in a resignation letter and is heading to Tallahassee’s Smith, Bryan & Myers influence shop. Her last day will be Oct. 21. FAC Executive Director Scott Shalley shared the news with his board of directors in a Monday morning memo. “In my 30 […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2016

In the last Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting before the full council passes the budget Sept. 27, a packed agenda was considered. Among the more compelling bills: a controversial measure to appropriate $5,000 to each of the fourteen district council members for “special events” in public parks; a bill tightening up regulations on burglar […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 9, 2016

A bill intended to end the fight over juvenile detention costs is headed to the governor. The Florida House voted 117-0 to approve the measure (SB 1322). The approval came just days after the Senate voted 38-0 to approve the bill. The proposal requires counties that aren’t considered fiscally constrained, usually more affluent, urban areas, […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A bill intended to end a fight between the state and several counties over juvenile detention costs passed the Florida Senate on Monday. The measure (SB 1322), sponsored by state Sen. Jack Latvala, was approved on a 38-0 vote. It requires “non-fiscally constrained counties,” generally more affluent, urban areas, to pay a total of $42.5 million for all detention […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

A series of rewrites to Florida’s economic-incentive programs, a chief priority of Gov. Rick Scott, passed its first House panel Tuesday afternoon. Lobby Tools reports that HB 1325, from Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, seeks to establish a new Florida Enterprise Fund, as well as changes in the process of administering economic incentives for businesses […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 11, 2016

The abrupt end to the 2015 Florida legislative session left an important piece of legislation in limbo: the regulation of the onshore oil and gas industry. Fortunately, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, and Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, are again championing this good legislation during this year’s session, and we are nearing the finish line. HB 191 […]

Tag: Florida Association of Counties
State Rep. Angie Nixon (center) leads a protest against immigration policies Saturday outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Image via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics.

Vacation rentals de-reg bill passes House committee

Jeff Brandes files bill to create affordable housing task force

Florida Retail Federation installs Scott Shalley as president and CEO

Jacksonville council members hammer out travel budget details

Personnel note: Lisa Hurley moves to Smith, Bryan & Myers

Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee addresses packed agenda

House votes 117-0 to approve juvenile detention cost sharing bill

Juvenile detention cost-sharing measure passes Senate

House committee OK’s rewrite of state economic incentive program

Brewster Bevis: The Legislature should pass legislation regulating oil and gas industry