Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2017

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday named Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, as its next Secretary, effective immediately. “For six years, Mike has been an integral part of my administration in the Executive Office of the Governor, Florida Department of Corrections and most recently the Florida Department of Transportation,” Scott […]

Joe HendersonMay 23, 2017

Transportation issues in the Tampa Bay area have been well-documented and they will get worse before they get better — assuming, of course, “better” ever comes. The Florida Department of Transportation wanted to attack the problem with a plan called Tampa Bay Express, or TBX. I’ll simplify: It called for building more roads, including 90 […]

Peter SchorschMay 19, 2017

Bridges are about connections, hence the word “bridge.” But a Miami-Dade plan to design a “signature bridge” — an $800 million proposal for rebuilding the I-395 overpass — is doing more to divide than connect. Adding to the confusion is the Miami Herald, where some argue has been slanting coverage to favor one bidder over another […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2017

Updated May 17 — The Florida Transportation Commission on Wednesday added Dew back to a list of three finalists going to Gov. Scott, replacing DOT District Secretary Phillip Gainer. Former deputy DOT secretary Richard Biter and Florida Transportation Commissioner Ron Howse remain on the list. The original story is below. Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, […]

Staff ReportsMay 12, 2017

The list of names to be the next secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation is down to three. The Florida Transportation Commission, the department’s advisory board, interviewed five applicants Thursday and is set to recommend three to Gov. Rick Scott. They are Richard Biter, a former assistant secretary of the transportation department; Phillip Gainer, FDOT’s District […]

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, now has applied to be Secretary of the department, according to a list of applicants released Monday. As of Monday’s deadline, 125 people had applied for the open position, created when former Secretary Jim Boxold resigned in January to join Tallahassee’s Capital City Consulting firm. Dew applied Monday […]

Scott PowersApril 13, 2017

Tri-Rail’s controversial, one-source, half-billion, operations contract could go forward under an amended bill pushed Thursday by the Gov. Rick Scott administration and state Sens. George Gainer and Jeff Brandes. Just a few weeks ago, both Gainer and Brandes were hostile critics of the contract and Tri-Rail. Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, sponsored an amendment Thursday that […]

Joe HendersonApril 11, 2017

Florida Democrats have become such a non-factor in state politics that the real drama frequently becomes which faction of the Republican party will prevail on a given issue. Think about it. We have had knockdown, drag-outs between the GOP-controlled House and Senate. This year the main event has been the ongoing feud between Republican Gov. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2017

Richard Biter, one of two unsuccessful finalists for the top job at Enterprise Florida, now has thrown in his hat to be the state’s next Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation. Biter is one of more than 80 applicants for the open position, created when former Secretary Jim Boxold resigned in January to join […]

Drew WilsonMarch 20, 2017

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that would require private rail companies to add safety features along their tracks, a move maligned by officials at All Aboard Florida. SB 386’s safety standards require passenger rail companies to install features such as positive train control, which helps prevent train-on-train collisions, and a remote […]

Tag: Florida Department of Transportation

Mike Dew named secretary of Florida Department of Transportation

Joe Henderson: FDOT’s Tampa Bay transit plan has new name, but really needs new ideas

What is really happening with community input for the I-395 Project

Mike Dew is a shoo-in for Transportation Dep’t top job

Transportation board settles on three for next FDOT head

Mike Dew now vying for top spot at Dep’t of Transportation

George Gainer, Jeff Brandes reverse positions on Tri-Rail, push bill to let controversial contract stand

Joe Henderson: Democrats may finally get the message that they need, well, a message

Richard Biter among dozens applying for state transportation secretary

All Aboard Florida says Senate railroad bill ‘unconstitutionally targets one company’