Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMarch 25, 2016

Easter shoppers are expected to spend nearly $150 each this weekend for a record-breaking $17.3 billion in holiday sales. According to a survey released by the National Retail Federation Monday, consumers will spend $146 a piece celebrating the Christian holiday, the highest total in the survey’s 13-year history. “This time of year means the arrival […]

Staff ReportsMarch 22, 2016

Josie Legido Correa is taking over as executive director of the Florida Grocers Association, the state’s advocacy group for the $45 billion grocery industry, according to a Tuesday news release. She replacing longtime grocery veteran Tom Jackson, who remains as a consultant. Correa assumed her new role Monday. “Josie has extensive experience meeting the diverse needs of members […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

With the 2016 Legislative Session in the books, the Florida Retail Federation said Friday that Florida’s 270,000 retail businesses have plenty of reasons to celebrate. The trade group said “a number of positive retail-specific bills” made it through the House and Senate and their impact will be felt at “pharmacies, grocers, convenience stores, restaurants, law […]

Staff ReportsMarch 3, 2016

The Florida Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Rick Scott that would overhaul Florida’s death penalty. The bill requires at least 10 out of 12 jurors must recommend execution in order for it to be carried out. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement: “I want to thank state lawmakers for prioritizing this important […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 1, 2016

Keep sales tax holidays. That’s the message the Florida Retail Federation is sending to state lawmakers as the Florida Senate decides whether to hear the House’s sweeping tax-cut proposal. The Senate Appropriations committee on Tuesday was scheduled to hear the proposal (HB 7099), where senators were proposing a strike-all amendment that, among other things, would […]

Ryan RayJanuary 4, 2016

Influential retailers lobby Florida Retail Federation announced Monday it has named a new President and CEO, promoting Randy Miller from the position of Executive Vice President. Miller also assumes the helm at sister organization Georgia Retail Association, where he was also a senior executive. Longtime FRF staffers Samantha Hunter Padgett and Melissa Joiner Ramba – wife of well-known Tallahassee lobbyist David Ramba – also received promotions […]

Melissa RossDecember 24, 2015

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Amidst all the shopping, wrapping, and returns, the Florida Retail Federation says this holiday season is also expected to feature a spike in fraud. The FRF says retailers expect fraud to reach more than $2.2 billion nationally, an increase in fraudulent activity of 3.5 percent over 2014. The biggest offense: criminals who try to return […]

Peter SchorschDecember 23, 2015

The 2015 holiday season marks a quiet before the storm in Florida politics, before the lawmakers and lobbyists take over Tallahassee in January and the high drama of Jeb Bush vs. Marco Rubio and the rest of the GOP presidential field reaches its primary crescendo. So this year, before the annual rites and rituals of “The Process” come to […]

Drew WilsonDecember 22, 2015

With the holiday shopping season entering its twilight hours, retailers have turned their attention to preventing fraudulent returns. The Florida Retail Federation expects total annual returns to hit $260.5 billion this year, including $9.1 billion worth of fraudulent returns. Holiday returns alone are estimated to account for $2.2 billion in fraudulent returns, the group said, […]

Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2015

An array of business lobbies has banded together to support one of Gov. Rick Scott‘s tax cut proposals that would reduce the tax businesses pay on their rents. The new campaign, Cut My Rent 1 Percent, is backed by Florida Realtors, National Federation of Independent Business, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated Industries of Florida, and the […]

Tag: Florida Retail Federation
Helene, early Sept. 27. Image via NOAA via AP.

Consumers to spend record $17.3 billion Easter weekend, retailers say

Personnel note: Josie Legido Correa named Florida Grocers Association executive director

Tax holiday, skimmer laws give Florida Retail Federation plenty of Session cheer

Captiol Reax: Death penalty, Planned Parenthood, tax cuts, solar energy, Florida Keys Stewardship Act

Florida Retail Federation calls on Senate to support sales tax holidays

Florida Retail Federation elevates Randy Miller to President

Florida Retail Federation expects spike in holiday fraud

This holiday season is brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Florida retailers expect fraud to rise in 2015

In Florida, the rent (tax) is too damn high, groups say