Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 28, 2017

If it looks like a slot machine, and plays like a slot machine, it’s a slot machine, the Seminole Tribe of Florida is telling state leaders. An order by a Tallahassee judge, first reported by FloridaPolitics.com, declared that certain slot machine-style entertainment devices aren’t slot machines under state law. The Tribe disagreed. It now says those games violate […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2017

Richard Biter, one of two unsuccessful finalists for the top job at Enterprise Florida, now has thrown in his hat to be the state’s next Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation. Biter is one of more than 80 applicants for the open position, created when former Secretary Jim Boxold resigned in January to join […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

The newly-formed Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) won’t spend time on changes that can’t pass at the ballot box, its chairman said Monday. “If the public doesn’t feel overwhelmingly supportive of (a proposed amendment), then why do it?” said Carlos Beruff, the Manatee County homebuilder appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. The panel held an organizational meeting in the […]

Associated PressMarch 20, 2017

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A powerful panel that has the power to alter the Florida Constitution is getting down to work. The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is holding its first meeting on Monday. The 37-member panel meets every 20 years and is allowed to propose changes to the state constitution. The commission’s amendments will go before voters during the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 16, 2017

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Another one bites the dust: Chad Poppell has resigned as Secretary of the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate manager. His resignation will be effective on March 31, Gov. Rick Scott announced on Thursday evening. Poppell has been head of DMS since 2014. “Chad Poppell has done an outstanding job and I want to thank […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

With VISIT FLORIDA chief Ken Lawson acting as hype man, Gov. Rick Scott held a Tuesday rally inside the Florida Capitol to “save” the embattled tourism organization. Scott, not normally a high-energy performer, worked up the crowd of hundreds in the building’s rotunda with the help of CFO Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. In the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 13, 2017

Proponents of keeping Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA have been repeating the talking point that even Coca-Cola, king of market share, still advertises. And so on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott kept driving home his counter-frame to House Speaker Richard Corcoran‘s “corporate welfare” narrative that killing the state’s economic development organization and tourism marketing agency will kill […]

Jim RosicaMarch 13, 2017

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection on Friday night released its response to the House of Representatives’ request for documentation of the legal billing in a longstanding river water use fight against Georgia. Interim DEP Secretary Ryan Matthews also sent a letter, saying his agency had “denied more than $3 million in expenses and hourly charges submitted […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, will be subject to greater oversight under a bill passed the Florida House Friday. State representatives passed the measure (HB 9), sponsored by Paul Renner of Palm Coast, by a vote of 80-35. Its reception in the Senate will likely not be warm: That chamber has not moved a […]

Drew WilsonMarch 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday that he thinks Florida would be treated unfairly under the current version of congressional Republicans’ Obamacare repeal bill. Scott did not tell reporters he opposed the bill after meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan in Washington, D.C., though he did say the repeal bill needs to be fair for states […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing;s Javier Bermudez and Chad Fraser bring water to Helene victims in Bradenton. Image via Gold Coast.

Seminole Tribe: Judge’s slots ruling could cost state ‘multi-billions of dollars’

Richard Biter among dozens applying for state transportation secretary

Carlos Beruff: Constitution Revision Commission won’t waste taxpayers’ money or time

Powerful Florida panel that could bring big changes gears up

Chad Poppell quits as head of DMS

Rick Scott rallies allies for VISIT FLORIDA

Rick Scott stumps for economic development, tourism dollars in Tallahassee

DEP responds to House records request, defends payment of legal bills

House approves bill to rein in VISIT FLORIDA

Rick Scott says ACA replacement is a work in progress