Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonSeptember 10, 2015

The committee supporting Republican Sen. Jack Latvala’s bid for the senate presidency brought in more than $250,000 in contributions following an explosion of activity in the closing week of August. More than $200,000 of the $251,659 raised by Florida Leadership Committee came through in the final seven days of the month. The flurry of donations […]

Phil AmmannAugust 7, 2015

Returning to school may not be popular with students, but parents are looking forward to Florida’s annual sales tax holiday and the associated back-to-school sales. A new email from the Florida Retail Federation reminds everyone that the 2015 sales tax holiday begins Friday and runs through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 16. The 10-day extension is the […]

Phil AmmannJuly 3, 2015

Florida merchants can expect fireworks for July 4 weekend, and not just the paper-and-gunpowder kind. Just in time for Independence Day this Saturday, a new report from the Florida Retail Federation — the state’s leading consumer sales trade association — says Floridians will spending more this year on holiday-themed events, food and merchandise. In the […]

Mitch PerryJune 24, 2015

One of the most interesting citizen generated political development in Florida this year is the coalition attempting to get a ballot measure on the 2016 ballot that would give businesses and property owners the ability to sell a limited amount of solar energy. Florida is one of only four states in the union that prohibit citizens from […]

Ryan RayMay 5, 2015

Lobbyist Cameron Yarbrough has taken his talents — and his increasing roster of clients — to the law firm of Gunster Yoakley & Stewart this week, leaving behind his one-man shop Yarbrough Consulting. Responding to inquiry about the move, Yarbrough told SaintPetersBlog it was a choice he made gladly. “As a sole proprietor I was looking for an alliance […]

Bruce RitchieApril 13, 2015

After a debate this past month, a Tampa Bay group that says it promotes a return to constitutional government and free markets has come out against a proposed constitutional amendment that would encourage the use of solar energy. Floridians for Solar Choice proposes a constitutional amendment that would promote local, small-scale solar energy production and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

It’s only the middle of March, but Floridians for Solar Choice, the political action committee pushing to get a solar-energy initiative on the ballot in 2016, are on the verge of having enough valid petition signatures to get a review by the Florida Supreme Court. The group submitted 66,493 valid petition signatures on Friday, just shy of […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2015

The Florida Retail Federation, the state’s largest retail advocacy organization, is adding media relations veteran James Miller as its new communications director. Miller will work from the FRF Tallahassee headquarters, overseeing the group’s marketing, communications and public outreach. His hire is effective February 23. In a statement, FRF President/CEO Rick McAllister praised Miller’s “proven experience […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2015

Attempts by the craft brewing industry to finally repeal the ban on 64-ounce beer growlers looked promising going into this year’s legislative session in Florida. But a provision added to what was considered a “clean” growler bill proved contentious at a hearing in the Senate Regulated Industries committee hearing on Wednesday afternoon in Tallahassee. In […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2015

A state regulatory agency says it will release specific information tomorrow about an upcoming workshop that the Florida Retail Federation says will provide “clarity” regarding a 50-year exception in alcohol beverage law in Florida. That exception has allowed the craft brewing industry to thrive over the past decade. Earlier this month the Florida Retail Federation and the […]

Tag: Florida Retail Federation
Pam Bondi. Image via AP.

After burst of activity, Jack Latvala committee brings in $250K for Aug.

Email insights: Florida’s longest back-to-school tax holiday starts Friday

Florida retailers can expect “fireworks” at cash registers on July 4 weekend, report says

Solar amendment proposal continues to roil Florida conservatives

Personnel note: Cameron Yarbrough joins lobbying team at Gunster

Conservative group opposes solar amendment after Tampa debate

Constitutional amendment on solar power close to state Supreme Court review

Personnel note: Florida Retail Federation hires James Miller as new comms director

Big beer distributors object to growler bill in Florida Senate committee

State agency to rule on craft brewery tasting rooms exception