Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Scott PowersMarch 10, 2017

With a $17.5 million, third-party loan arranged and approved Friday by Space Florida, OneWeb expects to begin construction of its satellite factory next week outside the gates of Kennedy Space Center. OneWeb already had received approval for a $17.5 million package of state incentives through the Florida Department of Transportation in a deal SpaceFlorida worked out […]

Scott PowersJanuary 31, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott is proposing cutting $156 million in state funding for Tri-Rail development unless the South Florida Regional Transit Authority reverses its decision to award a controversial half-billion contract to a lone qualified bidder. Scott’s proposed 2017 state budget now includes an item calling for “no funding” until the authority withdraws, cancels or otherwise […]

Tag: Florida Department of Transportation

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’

Space Florida approves loan to get OneWeb factory under construction

Rick Scott budget proposing cutting $156 million from Tri-Rail over contract