Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran offered a compromise Monday in his plan to kill the public-private VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, but Gov. Rick Scott rejected it as a “massive cut.” One day before a bill (HB 7005) aimed at eliminating the organization gets its second and final committee review, an amendment to be offered by GOP state Rep. Paul Renner would save […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

The Florida Lottery, now being sued by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, Monday said it had reached “another record – $1 billion in contributions to education for the 15th consecutive year.” On Friday, Corcoran – a Land O’ Lakes Republican – filed suit against the state agency for “wasteful and improper spending” for signing a multiyear, $700 million deal for new […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 20, 2017

When it comes to supporting the state’s hospitality industry, Carol Dover won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Despite the Florida House’s opposition to spending money on tourism marketing in the state budget, her Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is seeking $1 million to do just that. And the funding request is being sponsored by GOP state Rep. […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has released an opinion column on the “Florida House playing politics with Florida jobs” one day before a House panel discusses killing Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA and many business incentive programs. Scott’s office emailed the op-ed to news media Monday afternoon. The House Appropriations Committee meets Tuesday to consider a bill that would eliminate […]

Michael MolineFebruary 20, 2017

The top legislative priority for Florida’s nursing homes this year is to kill a proposal, backed by Gov. Rick Scott, to repeal a requirement that they demonstrate a demand for new beds before they can expand or build new facilities. SB 676, by Rob Bradley, and CS/HB 7 by Alex Miller, and would eliminate the certificate […]

Scott PowersFebruary 20, 2017

Citing reports that heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths and public health costs are exploding in numbers in Florida, Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon called Monday for Florida to declare a public health emergency. In a letter, Braynon urged Gov. Rick Scott to have Florida Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip to declare the public health emergency, which would […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2017

In what one lobbyist privately compared to “the bombing of Pearl Harbor,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran Friday dropped a blockbuster lawsuit on the Florida Lottery, which reports to Gov. Rick Scott, saying it was guilty of “wasteful and improper spending” for signing a $700 million deal for new equipment. The legal action caps off weeks of […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 17, 2017

Jason Allison, Florida’s Chief Information Officer, has told Gov. Rick Scott he is resigning. Allison’s letter, dated Monday, was released Friday by the Agency for State Technology, which Allison heads. News of his departure was exclusively in Friday’s edition of SUNBURN. “My years directing the Agency … and my prior service as your Technology Policy Coordinator […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

In yet another rejection of a policy backed by conservative lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Supreme Court Thursday “declined” to change the state’s expert evidence rule to one used by federal courts and most states. “We decline to adopt the Daubert Amendment to the extent that it is procedural, due to the constitutional concerns raised, which must […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

The operators of South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter train are sticking to their guns, defending their process that disqualified five of six bidders for a half-billion dollar contract, and hoping to win back angry state leaders who want to cut their state funding over the matter. “Right now, we’re moving forward. We followed a process, and we […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Florida House, Rick Scott again at loggerheads over VISIT FLORIDA

Lottery says it’s generated $1 billion for education this year

Carol Dover still fighting for tourism marketing money

In op-ed, Rick Scott still swinging against GOP opposition to incentives

Nursing homes fighting plan to eliminate certificate of need program

Oscar Braynon calls for emergency declaration on heroin

Richard Corcoran sues Florida Lottery over ‘improper spending’

It’s official: Jason Allison resigns as state CIO to join Foley & Lardner

Supreme Court rejects evidence standard supported by Rick Scott, lawmakers

Tri-Rail sticking with, defending, controversial $500M, one-bid contract