Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 19, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his administration’s recommendations of 427 communities across Florida designated as “Low Tax Opportunity Zones,” aiming to use federal tax advantages to encourage business development. The zones target low-income census tracts in all 67 counties, making businesses and developers working there eligible for deferred capital gains taxes under the newly-approved federal Tax Cut […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has sent out letters to county, city and housing authority officials throughout Central Florida seeking information on affordable housing shortages. The letter, from DEO Director of Community Development Julie Dennis, is exploring available resources and unmet needs that are being tested as a result of both the damages caused […]

Scott PowersOctober 4, 2017

The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will take up hurricane effects and recovery efforts across the business community in Florida at its first meeting of the 2018 session, Chairman Bill Montford announced Wednesday. That is assuming the committee’s hearing is not postponed because of a hurricane. Very early projections of Tropical Depression 16 forming off […]

Scott PowersSeptember 28, 2017

Drawing on state data on what jobs are out there and what they pay, and what college and career school programs cost, the Florida Chamber Foundation is launching a new website aimed at helping people understand where the money is and what it will cost. “I have to say to you this is just a […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2017

State Sen. Jeff Brandes‘s new economic development proposal would continue operations of the embattled Enterprise Florida and state Department of Economic Opportunity, but on tight leashes. Senate Bills 1110 and 1112 spell out a new way of doing business for two of Florida’s major economic development programs that have been under fire for accountability, particularly […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 31, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is recommending a $163 million increase in funding for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in his proposed 2017-18 budget. LobbyTools reports that the boost will bring the DEO budget to nearly $1.27 billion. Scott announced his budget proposal Tuesday morning at a Tallahassee news conference. Scott’s ask includes $85 million in economic incentives […]

Scott PowersDecember 16, 2016

Florida added another 31,600 private-sector jobs in November, the 56th consecutive month of job growth in the Sunshine State, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Orlando continued to lead the state in job growth in November, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went up slightly since October and held […]

Terry RoenNovember 15, 2016

Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit government watchdog, has urged state leaders to hold Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute accountable for the $155 million in tax incentives they received to move to Florida. The Florida Department of Economic Development (DEO) asked Sanford Burnham last month to return half, or $77 million in taxpayer money, if it […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 30, 2016

Emergency unemployment assistance is now available to people who lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Hermine, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. Under the federal disaster declaration approved Wednesday, people who lost jobs because of the storm, and who are not eligible for regular joblessness benefits, may apply for assistance through the Florida […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 29, 2016

Florida’s cities mostly exceeded the national trend last year regarding economic growth, state officials announced Thursday. In fact, the economies in 15 of Florida’s 22 metropolitan statistical areas grew faster than the national average. Overall, the state’s real gross domestic product was $789.8 billion, up by 3.1 percent from the year before. The national economy […]

Tag: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

Rick Scott announces 427 areas designated ‘Low Tax Opportunity Zones’ under new law

Economic Opportunity surveying Central Florida housing needs

Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee plans hurricane talk

Florida Chamber Foundation launches ‘My Career’ website tool

Jeff Brandes bills keep Enterprise Florida, but with tight leash

Rick Scott spending plan sets DEO budget at nearly $1.3B

Rick Scott touts 31K new jobs added in Florida in November

Florida TaxWatch blasts Sanford Burnham’s escape plan

Hermine disaster declaration opens emergency jobless benefits

Florida’s metro areas registered strong economic growth in 2015