Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 23, 2017

A bevy of business groups have joined forces in opposition to a Senate proposal to lower the tax commercial rents by eliminating a tax credit benefiting another industry. Eight of the state’s leading business organizations — including Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Florida […]

Drew WilsonMarch 7, 2017

A House panel unanimously approved a bill that would grant $1 million to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association for a tourism marketing campaign. HB 3343, sponsored by Panama City Republican Rep. Jay Trumbull, would give $1 million in non-recurring general revenue to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to contract with FLRA to […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

When it comes to supporting the state’s hospitality industry, Carol Dover won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Despite the Florida House’s opposition to spending money on tourism marketing in the state budget, her Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is seeking $1 million to do just that. And the funding request is being sponsored by GOP state Rep. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 8, 2017

Marketing is a contest for people’s attention, and state tourism marketing is no different. However, the detrimental impacts of removing a powerful marketing mechanism mean a world of difference when your state budget revenue depends on your share of the market. The proposed bill spearheaded by the House Careers & Competition Subcommittee that eliminates VISIT […]

Guest AuthorJuly 22, 2016

School’s out for the summer and, for many Florida families, that means trips to our pristine beaches and world-class attractions. For some Florida youth, it also means finding that perfect summer job. For teenagers, college students and other young people, a summer job gives them the opportunity to earn some money and learn important job […]

Jim RosicaJune 16, 2016

The head of the state’s tourism agency announced a “dining out” fundraiser next Thursday, June 30, for the OneOrlando Fund. Will Seccombe, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, Thursday posted on the agency’s official blog, “Sunshine Matters.” The fundraiser, co-sponsored by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, “will be a day for Florida restaurants, their employees and guests […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 29, 2016

Summertime is here — well, unofficially. While Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces, the holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer. That means baseball games and cookouts; road trips to the state’s theme parks; and a plethora of tourists visiting restaurants, beaches and hotels. […]

Ryan RayNovember 13, 2015

The Tallahassee-based lobbying practice of Metz Husband & Daughton did a brisk business during the third quarter of 2015, taking in $800,000 for its Q3 work according to estimates based on recently submitted lobbyist compensation reports. The firm’s heftiest invoices came from The Florida Bar, which accounted for about $40,000 in executive and legislative lobbying fees during the […]

Ryan RayNovember 3, 2015

A pair of bills to allow businesses to write off the costs of installing solar panels on commercial properties got the green light Tuesday from a Senate panel. “Occasionally a bill comes along both the Baptists and the bootleggers can agree on, and this is one of those proposals,” said St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes. The […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2015

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The annual Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show will be held this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Boulevard in Orlando. The show connects restaurant and foodservice professionals with “new ideas, new products, new solutions and new trends,” according to a press release. The trade show and conference, produced by Urban Expositions […]

Tag: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

AIF, Florida Chamber, other business groups join forces to oppose Senate tax proposal

Bill to fund a $1M in-state marketing campaign clears House committee

Carol Dover still fighting for tourism marketing money

Carol Dover: Florida’s future depends on tourism

Carol Dover: Florida’s summer job

VISIT FLORIDA wants you to dine out for Orlando

Memorial Day is brought to you by these lobbyists, associations and, of course, Publix

Metz Husband & Daughton books $800K in third-quarter lobbying fees

Bills to encourage solar panel installations OK’d by Senate panel

FRLA’s restaurantpalooza kicks off in Orlando