Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 3, 2015

Leading Republican presidential prospects faced off at an event Tuesday at a GOP economic gathering hosted by Gov. Rick Scott that drew a half dozen White House hopefuls to a Disney World convention center. While Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio enjoyed a home field advantage, Tuesday’s speaking program also featured former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Wisconsin Gov. Scott […]

Mitch PerryMay 29, 2015

Among the many casualties in the aborted legislative session last month was legislation regulating ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft. On the eve of the Special Session, though, Uber’s Florida General Manager Matthew Gore and other Florida business leaders have asked House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner to include transportation network companies in […]

Phil AmmannMay 20, 2015

On Wednesday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce named Todd Powell as North Central Florida Regional Chair. Powell is general manager of real estate at Plum Creek, the nation’s largest private landowner for forest products and mineral extraction. He will have a year-long term as one of 12 people in the Regional Chair Program. “Plum Creek is committed to […]

Phil AmmannMay 19, 2015

On Tuesday, the Florida Chamber of Commerce picked Stan Connally, president and CEO of Gulf Power Co., as Central Panhandle Regional Chairman. Appointed by Chamber Chairman Steve Knopik, president and CEO of Bealls Inc., Connally will serve the 2014-2015 term as one of the 12 individuals making up the Regional Chair Program. Connally, who has led […]

Phil AmmannMay 2, 2015

After a stubborn budget impasse, capped off by an abrupt adjournment by the Florida House, most will agree the 2015 Legislative Session was something of a disappointment. Among those particularly dissatisfied with the outcome this year is the state’s business community, led by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. But hope remains for a victory, as […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

A property rights bill filed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court case ruling in favor of an Orange County landowner passed the Florida House on Friday. The Supreme Court in 2013 overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against the late Coy A. Koontz Sr., who sought to build on 3.7 of his 15 acres […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

AFP-FL, the Florida branch of the pro-industry group Americans for Prosperity, has taken to Florida television to make its case against a Senate plan to draw down federal Medicaid funding to expand coverage through the state under the program. “At some point, the Senate is going to have to recognize that Floridians do not want more […]

Bruce RitchieApril 21, 2015

A Senate water bill passed its final committee stop on Tuesday despite continuing concerns raised by counties and environmentalists. SB 918 replaces a Lake Okeechobee pollution permitting program with more reliance on water cleanup plans, sets deadlines for establishing minimum flow levels for springs, sets timelines for springs cleanup plans and creates a statewide advisory […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Tag: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Ten takeaways from Rick Scott’s presidential cattle call

Uber requests that ride-sharing be part of Special Session in Tallahassee

Florida Chamber chooses Todd Powell as North Central Florida Regional Chair

Florida Chamber picks Gulf Power CEO as Panhandle regional chair

Florida Chamber: Special session offers second chance to get it right

Property rights bill responding to U.S. Supreme Court case passes House

Americans for Prosperity airs ads opposing Medicaid expansion

Senate bill clears final committee stop despite concerns from counties, environmentalists

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Sen. Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida’s high school students