Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 16, 2017

Karl Rasmussen, Gov. Rick Scott‘s deputy chief of staff, is departing the Governor’s Office for a lobbying job at the Meenan Law Firm, name partner Tim Meenan confirmed Friday. “Watching him from afar, I noticed he is one of the stars in the Capitol,” Meenan said in a phone interview. “He’s quiet, diligent and effective—the […]

Bob SparksJune 16, 2017

Most anglers thought the red snapper season for fishing in federal waters came and went almost two weeks ago. Thanks to an agreement between the U.S Department of Commerce and the State of Florida, recreational anglers now have 39 additional days to go after the prized catch. The previous season lasted only three days, from […]

Staff ReportsJune 15, 2017

After years of unsuccessfully fighting its way through the Legislature, the estoppel bill is now law. Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday signed the measure (SB 398), which overhauls the legal process of estoppel letters. It goes into effect July 1. “We are grateful for this compromise that will benefit Florida homeowners, associations, and taxpayers,” said Mark Anderson, Executive Director for […]

Peter SchorschJune 15, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott will sign a contentious education policy bill that critics fear will hurt traditional public schools in favor of privately-managed charter schools. The Governor’s Office on Thursday morning announced he will approve “a major education bill” at Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando, “which serves many children who receive the Gardiner Scholarship,” one of the […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott appointed a conservative jurist to the state’s Supreme Court in December, he made clear he wasn’t done. “I will appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term,” he said, referring to the mandatory retirement in early 2019 of the court’s liberal-leaning triumvirate of Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy A. Quince and […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

Chalk it up to “passion.” Or politics. Gov. Rick Scott, speaking to reporters after a Wednesday bill signing, explained away the open tension between him and House Speaker Richard Corcoran after the House this year tried to gut VISIT FLORIDA and do away with economic development organization Enterprise Florida, his two favored state agencies. By […]

Staff ReportsJune 13, 2017

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2018, is slamming Gov. Rick Scott‘s and House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s “victory tour.” Saying he’s standing up for public schools, Gillum released a statement Tuesday in the wake of Scott’s announcement of a five-city “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory” tour to “celebrate the major wins for Florida […]

Michael MolineJune 9, 2017

The Legislature concluded its special session with about an hour and 20 minutes to spare Friday, after voting to improve funding for public schools, colleges, and universities, and revamping the way the state encourages economic growth. While they were at it, the lawmakers passed an implementing bill for the medical marijuana constitutional amendment the voters […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has proclaimed next Monday, June 12, to be “Pulse Remembrance Day” in Florida, calling for flags to fly at half staff and for a moment of silence at 9 a.m. In doing so, Scott also acknowledged the blows to the Hispanic and LGBTQ communities, and does not explicitly describe the attack, which […]

Staff ReportsJune 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott expanded the call of the Legislature’s special session Friday to include money he wants to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike and higher education investments important to the Senate. And here are the details that got us here: The Senate will relent on trying to appropriate more money for hospitals; there will be nothing that […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Personnel note: Karl Rasmussen leaving Governor’s Office

State, feds agree to extension for red snapper fishing

Don’t estoppel believing: Now it’s a law

Rick Scott to sign controversial education policy bill

Progressive groups sue over Rick Scott’s judicial appointment power

Rick Scott: No hard feelings between him and Richard Corcoran

Andrew Gillum takes a swipe at Rick Scott’s ‘victory tour’

Legislature adjourns sometimes-bumpy Special Session in a burst of amity

Rick Scott proclaims June 12 ‘Pulse Remembrance Day’

We have a deal: Rick Scott expands scope of special session