Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegJanuary 21, 2016

I worked for decades in Palm Beach County – “Corruption County,” we called it in the heyday of watching elected officials troop off to prison. So you’d think I’d have a handle on what “corruption” is. Yet I find, because of current events, that I don’t quite get it. Those events include Florida’s abrupt decision […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday continued to sound lukewarm on the prospects of his renegotiated deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that would let them keep blackjack at their casinos. Scott took questions after an afternoon bill-signing ceremony with House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. “Well, I did my job. We […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed into law three bills that were priorities of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. Scott approved SB 552, which “implements policies to protect and restore water and natural resources statewide, with a focus on meeting water quality and supply needs.” Crisafulli wanted the measure passed […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet Thursday began moving on replacing two high-profile state positions by agreeing on salary ranges and interview dates. Marshall Stranburg, executive director of the state’s Department of Revenue, and Kevin McCarty, the state’s insurance commissioner, both quit in the past two months. Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

Enterprise Florida was on the defensive Thursday as the state’s chief economist threw cold water on Gov. Rick Scott‘s proposed $250 million Florida Enterprise Fund. The Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development held a workshop on the proposal. Amy Baker, head of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, told lawmakers the governor’s […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2016

The votes against a new Indian gambling agreement started piling up Wednesday, as senators verbally shellacked Gov. Rick Scott’s policy guru about the terms of the deal. The Regulated Industries Committee, oversees the state’s gambling industry, held a workshop on the Seminole Compact, with Scott policy director Jeff Woodburn acting as point man to formally present […]

Scott PowersJanuary 20, 2016

University of Central Florida President John Hitt and several of the school’s other leaders are putting their money where their hopes are. The university announced that Hitt and his wife Martha, several current and former members of the Board of Trustees and others at the school have combined to donate about $1 million this month […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott says don’t worry, you’ll still get tax cuts. On Tuesday, his office responded to reports that state economists predicted almost $400 million less for next year’s state budget. Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz called the projected $388.5 million drop “a minor reduction” and said the GOP governor “remains confident in his $1 billion […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 18, 2016

The assault on Florida’s environment continues as a Senate committee last week approved a bill that would make it easier for petroleum companies to use fracking technology to extract oil and gas in the state. Lest we forget, the administration of Gov. Rick Scott has ordered the words “climate change” scrubbed from official speeches and […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Jac VerSteeg: It’s not corruption, it’s politics as usual

Rick Scott on Seminole Compact: “I did my job”

Rick Scott signs Legislature’s priority bills

Governor, Cabinet move forward on high-profile hires

Enterprise Florida losing fight for $250 million incentives fund?

Senate starts dissecting new Seminole blackjack deal

John Hitt, UCF trustees putting own money into downtown campus fund

Rick Scott “confident” on tax cuts despite less money

Marc Yacht: State moves fracking regulation bill forward

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list