Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 7, 2018

The Florida Retail Federation announced Tuesday that it had promoted a few of its top employees to run its newly formed External Affairs division. Melissa Joiner Ramba will head up the division in her new role as vice president for both FRF and Georgia Retailers, while James Miller was promoted to Senior Director of External […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 30, 2018

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee narrowly voted in favor of a bill Tuesday that aims to put franchisees on a level playing field with their franchisor. SB 1076, known as the “Small Business Parity Act,” would shield business owners from restrictions on selling their franchises or passing them on to an heir, and would give […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 30, 2018

NFL ratings may have cooled this season, but retailers say Super Bowl spending will hit $15.3 billion in 2018 – an all-time high. “The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of the football season, and Floridians are as passionate about the sport as any state in the nation, so we expect Florida to lead the way […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2018

Florida Retail Federation VP of Government Affairs Melissa Joiner Ramba was selected to serve as a trustee for the Florida House in Washington, DC, FRF announced Tuesday. “Melissa has been a tremendous advocate on behalf of Florida’s retailers in Washington D.C. for a number of years, and her selection as a Trustee to the Florida […]

Peter SchorschNovember 23, 2017

It’s time to talk turkey. And stuffing, pie, football and 4 a.m. lines outside your favorite store. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the winter holiday season; the first stop in a month of non-stop holiday parties and celebrations. It’s also a day for Americans to reflect on what they’re grateful for, something that is especially […]

Peter SchorschNovember 13, 2017

Brevard County Republican Rep. Randy Fine added $23,000 between his campaign and committee accounts last month, giving him with $86,573 on hand at the end of October. Fine raised $20,500 of the money through his re-election campaign in House District 53. Making the donor roll for October were Anheuser-Busch, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Southern […]

Drew WilsonOctober 30, 2017

Consumer confidence may be down, but shoppers won’t be spooked on Halloween according to a new survey by the National Retail Federation. NRF, the parent group of the Florida Retail Federation, expects 179 million Americans to spend a combined $9.1 billion this year on all things Halloween — that’s 8 million more trick-or-treaters and $700 […]

Staff ReportsAugust 29, 2017

Duke Energy announced Tuesday it had filed a settlement agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). The good news: Rates won’t be increasing as expected. “This settlement has broad support and was developed collaboratively with the Office of Public Counsel and other consumer advocates, including the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, White Springs Agricultural […]

Peter SchorschAugust 4, 2017

The Florida Retail Federation expects Sunshine State stores to make a bundle during the back-to-school sales tax holiday in August. A survey conducted by FRF’s parent organization, the National Retail Federation, estimates U.S. retailers will pull in a total of $83.6 billion in revenue during the tax-free holidays in Florida and other states. NRF also […]