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Staff ReportsMay 10, 2017

Jeff Atwater will remain in office as state chief financial officer until the state budget is completely settled, his office confirmed Wednesday. Atwater has announced plans to leave Tallahassee to become CFO at Florida Atlantic University upon the conclusion of the Legislative Session. That came last Friday, although the Legislature required another three days to […]

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

One of 11 bills signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott expands use of therapy animals in court proceedings involving child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. “This legislation will help children and individuals with unique abilities in our state as they face some of the most challenging times in their life,” Scott said in a […]

Staff ReportsMay 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Tuesday pledging $800 million in bonds toward Senate President Joe Negron’s signature project — a $1.5 billion plan to restore Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades by building a reservoir south of the lake. Scott had signaled his intention to sign the legislation earlier in the week, calling Everglades restoration “a […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2017

Faced with the prospect of a gubernatorial budget veto, Senate President Joe Negron said Wednesday that he hopes it doesn’t come to that. “I hope the governor doesn’t veto the budget, because I think it’s a strong budget. He certainly has every right to look at particular items,” Negron told reporters following the day’s Senate […]

Michael MolineMay 2, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron conceded the obvious Tuesday night: The House and Senate won’t wrap up budget negotiations in time to adjourn as scheduled on Friday. “You know the timetable as well as I do, with the 72-hour requirement. So we will definitely not complete the budget work prior to the end of Friday, and […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

House Appropriations Chairman Carlos Trujillo did not appear especially intimidated by Gov. Rick Scott’s tough talk on the state budget Thursday evening. That $200 million Scott seeks to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike, for example? Not likely. “That showed up about a week ago, and we’d already gone a far way down the road as […]

Michael MolineApril 27, 2017

If you entered an elevator in the Capitol Thursday, you might have spotted a piece of paper resembling a wanted poster bearing the pixelated photo of a smiling woman. “Senator Kevin Rader would like to know… Where is ‘Concerned Citizen’ Mary Beth Wilson,” the letter-sized document announced. Surrounding the photo were six red question marks […]

Michael MolineApril 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has issued another missive urging full financial support for Visit Florida. This one is a memo written to Scott by Christian Weiss, in-house economist to the governor, who warns that cutting the tourism-development program by $50 million — as House and Senate budget negotiators are considering doing — would result in a […]

Staff ReportsApril 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott, while on a trade mission to Argentina, urged the Florida Legislature to include his economic incentives programs when finalizing the next state budget. “Lawmakers cannot be shortsighted at the expense of Florida families by cutting funds for tourism marketing and economic development,” Scott said in a written statement distributed by his office. “I would be […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has distributed a letter by Ben Watkins, director of the Division of Bond Finance, to the House and Senate budget chairmen, warning that cutting Visit Florida could damage the state’s credit rating. The letter, dated Tuesday, addressed to Jack Latvala in the Senate and Carlos Trujillo in the House, warns that cutting […]

Tag: Florida. Gov. Rick Scott

Jeff Atwater sticking around as Florida CFO until state budget is nailed down

New law expands use of therapy animals for children facing court proceedings

Rick Scott signs SB 10, the Lake Okeechobee restoration plan, into law

Against criticism by governor, Joe Negron makes the case for budget deal

Joe Negron acknowledges the Legislative Session will enter extra innings

Rick Scott’s demand for budget priorities leaves Carlos Trujillo unfazed

Kevin Rader carries campaign against lobbyist into the Capitol’s lifts

Continuing sales pitch for Visit Florida, Rick Scott warns of hit to state revenues

From Argentina, Rick Scott keeps up the chatter for economic incentives

Rick Scott enlists state bonds chief in fight for Visit Florida funding