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Staff ReportsMay 26, 2017

Florida’s gross domestic product grew by 3 percent last year, outpacing both the national rate of 1.5 percent and the other large states, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday. “This great news is further proof that our economy is booming and we must stay focused on continuing this growth so Florida can out compete other locations […]

Jim RosicaMay 25, 2017

Saying it could hurt job creation, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a contentious bill that would have removed the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Scott filed his veto letter of the measure (SB 106) on Wednesday night, his deadline to act on the bill. It’s the first veto of a bill from the 2017 […]

Michael MolineMay 23, 2017

A history of alcoholism in Gov. Rick Scott’s family will inform his decision about whether to sign the “whiskey & Wheaties” bill, which would tear down the wall of separation between hard liquor and other goods. “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback on that bill,” Scott told reporters. “I’ve had family members who have had […]

Michael MolineMay 23, 2017

Noah Valenstein got the job as secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday, after a unanimous vote by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet. He will take the helm on June 5, with a salary of $150,000 per year, Scott said. “Noah has 15 years of environmental policy experience and I’m confident will continue […]

Staff ReportsMay 22, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s trade mission to Argentina has resulted in $24 million in sales to companies that participated, the governor’s office announced Monday. “Enterprise Florida led this mission, and they do important work to connect Florida small business with opportunities in international markets,” Scott said in a written statement, referencing the state’s embattled economic development […]

Jim RosicaMay 21, 2017

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Costco now is joining Wal-Mart, Target and others in one last push to get Gov. Rick Scott to sign a bill to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other goods. Their Floridians For Fair Business Practices coalition on Friday released a tranche of letters sent to Scott encouraging him to OK the legislation (SB […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2017

Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie is resigning effective the beginning of June, sources told FloridaPolitics.com on Friday. The move was confirmed by the Governor’s Office, which provided a copy of his resignation letter. The letter did not mention his future plans but Delacenserie wrote that he “enjoyed all of my 17 years with the Florida Lottery but none more […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Saying that the current limbo of law is bad for doctors and patients, Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado pleaded with Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Legislature leaders to call a special session to deal with medical marijuana. “We are here because 71 percent of Florida voters approved the constitutional right to […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2017

Updated May 17 — The Florida Transportation Commission on Wednesday added Dew back to a list of three finalists going to Gov. Scott, replacing DOT District Secretary Phillip Gainer. Former deputy DOT secretary Richard Biter and Florida Transportation Commissioner Ron Howse remain on the list. The original story is below. Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2017

Updated May 17 — Valenstein was the only person selected to be interviewed for the job, according to remarks at Wednesday’s Cabinet aides meeting. That means he is a virtual lock for the position. Shut out by the decision is interim secretary Ryan Matthews. The interview will take place at next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. The original story is […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Rick Scott: Florida GDP continues to outpace national growth rate

The hangover: Rick Scott vetoes ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill

Time growing short for Rick Scott to decide ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill’s fate

Noah Valenstein hired as DEP’s new secretary

Rick Scott claims $24 million gain from his Argentina trade mission

Big-box chains, others make one last push for ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie stepping down

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado say special session needed to end cannabis legal limbo

Mike Dew is a shoo-in for Transportation Dep’t top job

Noah Valenstein set to become next DEP head