Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschFebruary 14, 2017

Lost in the rush to get the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill over the finish line this year is the incredible toll it might take on independently-owned liquor stores. The Senate bill (SB 106) that would tear down the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods already zoomed through its committees and is now […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday appointed Circuit Judge Robert J. Luck to the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami. Luck, 37, of North Miami Beach, has served as a circuit judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit since 2013. He previously was an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott reappointed Alan Abramowitz as head of the state’s child advocates program. The Governor’s Office announced the appointment Wednesday night for a term of Feb. 8, 2017-Feb. 8, 2019. Abramowitz, 54, of Tallahassee, has been Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program since 2010. Guardians ad litem represent the interests of children in court proceedings, especially […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

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A Florida House panel Wednesday cleared a bill that would eliminate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, the VISIT FLORIDA tourism marketing agency, and a slew of economic incentive programs. The Careers and Competition Subcommittee OK’d the proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) by a nearly party-line vote of 10-5. One Democrat voted for it, Miami’s Roy […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott’s favored economic incentive program – the Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC) – is now losing money, the Legislature’s chief economist told a Senate panel Wednesday. The QAC is a pot of cash that Scott can draw up to $2 million from without legislative approval to entice businesses to the state. But though […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 8, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has now sicced the Department of Economic Opportunity, headed by executive director Cissy Proctor, on the Florida House to take down its critique of economic incentives. A news release, issued late Tuesday, continues the cold war of words between the governor, an ardent supporter of incentives, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who has […]

Michael MolineFebruary 7, 2017

The House Appropriations Committee gave a respectful reception Tuesday to Gov. Rick Scott’s $83.5 billion state budget Tuesday, with chairman Carlos Trujillo praising the spending plan as “conservative.” “It’s a very fair budget,” Trujillo told reporters following the meeting. “It was balanced. Some different priorities than we’ve expressed here in the House. But, overall, I […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 1, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday formally approved Ryan Matthews as interim Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Matthews will serve until Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam decide on a permanent replacement for outgoing Secretary Jon Steverson. Until then, Matthews will be […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2017

Three Florida lobbying concerns are being reported to Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet for incorrectly tallying their income, the Florida Commission on Ethics said Wednesday. In at least two of the cases, however, the errors were basic accounting mistakes. Lobbyists’ compensation is subject to random audits, some of which are reviewed by the commission. In […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agrees with Gov. Rick Scott that Florida’s next governor should have “business experience.” “I think someone having business experience that they bring to public life is very helpful,” said Putnam, who spoke to reporters after a speech at Tuesday’s Associated Press annual Legislative Session planning session at the Capitol. In a recent […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Image via Desantis X account

State could wed whiskey and Wheaties, but at what cost?

Robert J. Luck elevated to appeals court judge

Alan Abramowitz reappointed head of Guardians ad Litem

House panel votes to kill Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA

Rick Scott’s favorite business incentive is losing money, Senate hears

DEO “Cissysplains” economic incentives to Richard Corcoran

A cordial House reception for Scott’s budget, despite off-stage rancor

Rick Scott, state Cabinet OK Ryan Matthews as interim DEP secretary

Lobbying firms misreported income, ethics panel finds

Adam Putnam agrees: Business experience essential for governor’s job