Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressApril 18, 2016

A former Florida House speaker who stood up to Gov. Rick Scott is being pushed off the Florida State University board. Scott on Friday replaced Allan Bense on the FSU board of trustees with Max Alvarez, a Doral businessman and friend of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. He also reappointed two trustees including one, Joe Gruters, who […]

Ryan RayApril 13, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham cited Zika virus research from Tallahassee’s Florida State University on the floor of the U.S. House on Tuesday, as she called on Congress to provide increased funding for Zika research and prevention. Graham said Zika “poses a great threat to our country, especially to my home state of Florida.” “There have already been […]

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2016

Another year passes, and another Rick Scott Chief of Staff is out the door. The Governor’s office announced last week that Kim McDougal will succeed Melissa Sellers in the top staff position, making McDougal Scott’s fifth CoS in six years. Which makes us wonder: Where are they now? Mike Prendergast, a retired Army colonel, moved over to become Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2016

Joe Gruters‘ association with the Donald Trump campaign is controversial, because, well, Donald Trump is controversial. Gruters became campaign chairman for Trump in Florida last fall. His other public duties include being vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, chairman of the Sarasota County Republican Executive Committee, and a member of Florida State University’s board […]

William MarchMarch 14, 2016

When Florida state House Minority Leader Mark Pafford puts a 6 a.m. workout before his legislative meetings on his daily schedule, it’s a public record. When concerned parent Kimberly Jones of Plantation emails House Speaker Steve Crisafulli saying she has two children going to Florida State University and wants him to oppose a bill allowing […]

Bob SparksMarch 11, 2016

With the state budget set to be passed Friday, attention will soon turn to the process of identifying dubious local projects funded within the budget deal. Budget “turkeys,” as they are called, are held up for scorn by Florida TaxWatch and often vetoed by the governor. As governor, Jeb Bush established firm criteria for funding […]

Scott PowersMarch 7, 2016

The University of Central Florida has walked a careful path to line up support for what had been a controversial plan for a downtown Orlando campus, and now the university has everything but the governor’s signature. No one is taking that for granted, though. Over the weekend, with pushes from Senate President Andy Gardiner of […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

A Senate budget panel advanced a bill Wednesday for a grant to the family of a Florida State University football player who died on the practice field. The bill – SB 16 by Sen. Arthenia Joyner – appropriates $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling, who died during preseason drills from complications of an undiagnosed health […]

Rosanne DunkelbergerFebruary 18, 2016

“Sticks and bricks” were on the agenda at Tallahassee’s “Emerging Trends in Real Estate,” seminar where updates were given on seven major development efforts totaling more than $1 billion. Nearly 200 people attended, representing a variety of interests including commercial real estate, banking, engineering, city, county and state government, and construction. It was held at the University Center Club, […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 17, 2016

The issue of outsourcing has now been jammed into the presidential race. Donald Trump has declared a mission to “bring back” the 5.5 million U.S. jobs from all the far-flung corners of the world to which they’ve historically been sent. The fanning of protectionist flames has long been used as a vote-getting tool, a way […]

Tag: Florida State University
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Weekend round-up: Allan Bense booted, Gene Cryer dies, union prez sentenced

Gwen Graham cites FSU Zika research amid call for Congress to act on funding

Peter Schorsch: Five big stories in Tallahassee last week

Joe Gruters confident GOP will come together to back Donald Trump

In Florida, most legislative documents are public records

Enticing JetBlue to Tallahassee offers statewide benefits

With downtown campus funding in budget, UCF hopes it has satisfied Rick Scott

Devaughn Darling claims bill clears education budget panel

Wayne Tower, err, the new Ballard building highlights ULI presentation

Sarah Maricle Ayers: Outsourcing still not getting a fair shake