Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieJanuary 14, 2015

A leading supporter of a proposed solar energy amendment said Wednesday that backers will need $8 million to $10 million to fight utilities to get the measure passed. Floridians For Solar Choice Inc., a political committee created in December, announced its proposed amendment in 2016 that limits or prevents government and utilities from imposing barriers […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 7, 2015

Republican candidate Jason Fischer raised a total of $53,865 in just the first month since filing for the Florida House District 16 race. The Jacksonville native and member of the Duval County School Board seeks to replace term-limited state Rep. Charles McBurney. District 16 covers Mandarin, Baymeadows and most of southeast Duval County. “Jason’s message of […]

Mitch PerryDecember 29, 2014

Tis the season for year-end lists, so here’s this reporter’s take on the 10 biggest/most interesting developments over the past year in Tampa Bay/Florida politics. 1 – The Florida Democratic Party hits rock bottom. There are a number of reasons why Rick Scott beat Charlie Crist, and the Crist camp’s notion that the $12 million […]

Daniel TilsonDecember 2, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott and his minions proved last week that they view middle-class Florida consumers as mostly slow-witted turkeys ready to be roasted to a crisp and gobbled up by corporate gluttons. While most of us were distracted by shopping, cooking, traveling and other Thanksgiving preparations, Scott’s hand-picked five-member Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to […]

Phil AmmannDecember 2, 2014

Duval County School Board Member Jason Fischer is looking to take his brand of conservative values and education reforms to Tallahassee. The Jacksonville native and former CSX executive filed paperwork this week for a 2016 run as a Republican for House District 16, currently held by state Rep. Charles McBurney, who is serving his final […]

Mitch PerryNovember 25, 2014

In a much anticipating hearing today, the Florida Public Service Commission today slashed energy efficiency goals for Duke Energy, TECO, Gulf Energy & Florida Power & Light on a 3-2 vote. They also voted to allow a pilot program for solar power to expire at the end next year, but said they intend to host […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott would rather avoid those pesky public records requests by citizens who believe they have a right to know what state government is doing. So what Lincoln called government of, by, and for the people is a hindrance to Scott and his ability to run the state as an autocratic and unaccountable CEO. […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 24, 2014

In Germany two weeks ago, we were impressed by the multitude of solar arrays along the autobahn. There were too many to count. They perched on the rooftops of homes, apartment buildings, barns, offices, shops, storage sheds and garages. They were free-standing in cornfields and pastures — any place with a southern exposure and space […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 17, 2014

If you wonder whether utility solar rebate programs for homeowners and businesses were popular, look at how quickly the rebates were snapped up. Florida Power & Light Co. paid $16.5 million in rebates between 2011 and 2013. Each time the program issued its maximum amount of reservations on the same day that applications opened, a […]

Tag: Florida Power & Light

Solar amendment backers say they’ll need $8-$10 million to fight utilities

HD 16 hopeful Jason Fischer raises nearly $54K in first month of campaign

A look back at the year in news in Tampa Bay

Daniel Tilson: Team Scott makes it a happy Thanksgiving for Florida energy monopolies

Duval County School Board Member Jason Fischer files to run for House District 16 seat

PSC kills solar pilot program for not being cost effective

Chris Timmons: Scott keeps citizens in the dark about important public issues

Martin Dyckman: How Florida laws are made and utility regulators are appointed leave the state way behind Germany in use of solar energy

Bruce Ritchie: Despite popularity, utilities oppose solar rebate programs