Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

One of three Senate committee leaders set to review now-outgoing Department of Economic Opportunity chief Jesse Panuccio for confirmation next year didn’t say she was sorry to see him go. “I’ve already said too much about Mr. Panuccio,” state Sen. Nancy Detert, the Venice Republican in charge of the Commerce and Tourism Committee, said Friday. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A bill that would allow for stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida unanimously cleared its second Senate review panel. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the measure (SB 460) on Thursday. State Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican behind the bill, said it was aimed at allowing stronger but still non-smokeable marijuana for […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

The next president of the Florida Senate is calling for an extra billion dollars in spending on the state’s universities, calling them “special, exceptional places.” State Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican, was formally elected president for 2016-18 in a Wednesday designation ceremony of the chamber’s GOP caucus. Republicans outnumber Democrats 26-14. He will succeed current President […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is trying to win support for his $1 billion tax cut package. Scott on Tuesday spent more than an hour before a House legislative committee defending his push for his tax cuts, many targeted toward businesses. It was a rare sight for the governor to spend so much time interacting with […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

A vendor in a bidding process to provide a next-generation statewide emergency alert system is protesting the award to a competitor, saying the state’s evaluators were “biased,” among other complaints. Emergency Communications Network, or ECN, filed an administrative protest last month, records show. The company is headquartered in Ormond Beach. The project at issue is the continued development […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

With Monday’s release of Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed 2016-17 state budget, so begins the game of smoke signals between the governor’s office, legislative leaders, and the lobbying corps and their clients. What lobbyists took away from the “Florida First” budget is that Scott will be focused like a Tesla death ray on getting his $1 […]

Gary FineoutNovember 23, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, setting up a likely messy budget fight with the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature, on Monday released a nearly $79.3 billion spending plan that is heavy on tax cuts and help for businesses. Scott, in an event that was similar to campaign rallies he held during his successful re-election campaign, chose a sign […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Monday appointed Tom Delacenserie as Secretary of the Florida Lottery, a position he had held in the interim since former Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell‘s departure in August. The Lottery shuffles most of its proceeds toward public education in the state, including roughly $1.5 billion last year. “Tom has demonstrated his knowledge of […]

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2015

A bill that would end state oversight of hospital construction and expansion cleared its first House review panel on Thursday. The Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access OK’d the legislation (HB 437) 10-4 along party lines. The measure would repeal the “certificate of need” process that requires hospitals to show state regulators there’s a need in the community […]

Shannon NickinsonNovember 17, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants the state university system to aim high. To achieve that he announced the “Ready, Set, Work” College Challenge this past week at the Association of Florida Colleges Trustee Commission meeting in Lake Buena Vista. The governor wants all 28 state colleges to participate by graduating 100 percent of their full-time […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Jesse Panuccio’s road to resignation paved with Senate’s hard feelings

Bill allowing stronger medical marijuana advances in House

Now it’s official: Joe Negron selected next Senate President

Rick Scott makes personal pitch for $1 billion in tax cuts

Florida company files bid protest in battle over emergency alert network

Lobby corps has muted reaction to Rick Scott’s budget

Rick Scott’s budget: Tax cuts, more for schools

Rick Scott names new head of state Lottery

House panel OKs repeal of hospital regulation

Shannon Nickinson: School, community collaboration key to educated workforce