Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott‘s environmental policy coordinator has been hired to run the Suwannee River Water Management District, the district announced in a press release. Noah Valenstein will take over as executive director for the Live Oak-based agency, which manages water resources in 15 counties in north central Florida. Valenstein also attended the meeting last August in which Scott listened […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced three judicial appointments late Friday. He elevated Kim Hernandez Vance from a Hillsborough County judge to the 13th Judicial Circuit bench. Vance, 54, of Tampa, had been a county judge since last year. “Judge Vance has demonstrated, throughout her career, a commitment to serving Florida families,” Scott said in a statement. “I am confident she […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

A Broward County lawmaker wants his colleagues to reconsider the contentious issue of police body-worn cameras after similar legislation failed last session. State Rep. Shevrin Jones, a West Park Democrat, filed his bill (HB 93) on Friday. His version that was proposed last session died. “Problems don’t disappear just because legislation doesn’t pass,” Jones said in a […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 3, 2015

Courtesy of the Associated Press’ Gary Fineout who, along with Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida, have a track record of taking on agency heads and staff who make huge gaffes that result in their agencies getting bad press, is the story that dropped Wednesday on how DMS managed to botch a recent My Florida Net2 bid […]

Jim RosicaAugust 31, 2015

Satisfaction is hard to come by these days. Seven out of 10 American voters say they’re “dissatisfied with the way things are going in the nation today,” according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released Monday. The poll shows 41 percent identify as “very dissatisfied,” and only 2 percent say they’re “very satisfied.” “Most American […]

Diane RobertsAugust 31, 2015

To recap: The less-than-Special Session cost the citizens nearly 700 grand, Rick Scott’s legal bills are now north of $1.5 million (not counting the lawsuit environmentalists have filed against the House and Senate for not implementing Amendment 1 or the action Planned Parenthood is likely to bring), the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued […]

Diane RobertsAugust 30, 2015

To recap: The less-than-Special Session cost the citizens nearly 700 grand, Rick Scott’s legal bills are now north of $1.5 million (not counting the lawsuit environmentalists have filed against the House and Senate for not implementing Amendment 1 or the action Planned Parenthood is likely to bring), the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued […]

Associated PressAugust 27, 2015

Florida health officials said Wednesday they would give insurers a 7.7 percent rate increase in the fledgling Medicaid managed care program, in what has been a contentious battle among Gov. Rick Scott, the insurers and hospitals. The Republican governor lobbied hard to get federal approval for the statewide managed care program, which launched last year. […]

Sally SwartzAugust 24, 2015

Florida lawmakers did one thing worth celebrating in this year’s Legislative Session: They approved, at long last, a law that protects residents from SLAPPs: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Two champions deserve special credit for the success of the anti-SLAPP campaign: the Florida Press Association and the Motion Picture Association of America. On the Treasure […]

Mark FerruloAugust 6, 2015

In response to the recent video smear campaign aimed at discrediting Planned Parenthood, 39 Florida organizations representing doctors, working families, students, women’s advocates, retirees and religious leaders, and with supporters stretching from Key West to Pensacola, have stood up for the immense contribution Planned Parenthood has made toward expanding and protecting reproductive health care access […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Rick Scott’s environmental advisor tapped as water district head

Rick Scott announces 3 judicial picks

Police body-camera bill introduced for next session

State agency follies continue: This time its DMS’ turn in the barrel

Voters can’t get no satisfaction, new Q-poll shows

Absence makes the guv grow fonder

Diane Roberts: Absence makes the guv grow fonder

Florida gives Medicaid insurers 7.7 percent rate increase

Sally Swartz: Free speech victory rose from Session morass

Mark Ferrulo: Florida organizations show support for Planned Parenthood