Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 2, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is refusing to turn over financial information that could answer whether he is flouting a state ethics law. Lawyers for Democrat George Sheldon want Scott to turn over detailed information about his various holdings. They also want information on investments controlled by first lady Ann Scott. Scott’s attorneys contend the information […]

James CallFebruary 2, 2015

Pollsters continue to detect overwhelming support among Floridians for allowing marijuana to be used as medicine. A Gravis Insights poll conducted this past week found 64 percent of respondents said they would back a 2016 ballot initiative that read: “Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2015

State Rep. Dane Eagle was cleared this past week of a complaint filed against him by an opponent in last summer’s Republican primary. Jim Roach submitted a complaint to the Commission on Ethics against the Cape Coral Republican over a bill he sponsored in the previous legislative session. Roach, who lost to Eagle in a […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2015

Happy Monday! (Well, maybe not if you’re a Seahawks fan). As we lean into the work week, what do we have here on the front page of today’s Tampa Bay Times? A story by the Miami Herald’s Julie Brown and Mary Ellen Klas that features another deposed government agency head in Tallahassee — in this case, former Department of […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2015

David Shepp, a former legislative aide to Adam Putnam with nearly two decades of political experience, is joining Southern Strategy Group. Shepp brings more than 18 years of Polk County and Florida legislative experience, including serving four years as legislative assistant to then-state Rep. Adam Putnam. After managing Putnam’s successful campaign in Florida’s 12th Congressional […]

Mike SchneiderFebruary 2, 2015

A government-owned power company that supplies wholesale electricity for 31 small Florida cities plans to pay its chief executive’s six-months salary and health insurance premiums for the rest of his life if he is fired, according to a preliminary audit report that has angered some city officials. The Florida Municipal Power Agency also spent tens […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 1, 2015

Florida Chamber of Commerce leaders will not enter the debate between Gov. Rick Scott and Cabinet members about longtime state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty. Chamber President Mark Wilson told reporters that McCarty was “doing a good job,” during the tenure of Gov. Charlie Crist, who Wilson called “the worst governor” in U.S. history. However, Wilson clarified that the entire agency failed to do a good job […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 1, 2015

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, from North Palm Beach, is one of the state leaders who wrote to the parole board on behalf of the daughter of a West Palm Beach politico who is serving up to life in prison for murder. A joint investigation by The Palm Beach Post and WPTV-Channel 5 discovered […]

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 30, 2015

Legislative leadership on Friday asked the state’s chief economist to analyze and rank four applicants seeking sports incentives from the state. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said in a statement that the Florida Legislature expected the Department of Economic Opportunity to review and rank the four applicants who are vying for $7 million in competitive grants. […]

James CallJanuary 30, 2015

A Chicago, Atlanta, and two Tallahassee-based accounting firms have qualified to certify Florida lobbyists’ compensation reports. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee has qualified proposals from Chicago-based Grant Thornton, Atlanta’s Warrant Averett and Tallahassee-based Carroll and Company and the Carr, Riggs & Ingram firm for contracts to audit the reports. Last year more than $200 million […]

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Kathleen King and Joe Gruters. Image via Max Goodman.

Gov. Rick Scott won't give financial information in ethics case

Poll finds Florida voter support for medicinal marijuana remains above 64 percent

Dane Eagle cleared of conflict of interest claim

Mitch Perry Report for 2.2.15 – Another former state agency head blasts Rick Scott

Personnel note: David Shepp moves to Southern Strategy Group

Audit says power agency spent thousands on flowers, parties

Insurance commissioner doing better under Rick Scott than Charlie Crist, Florida Chamber says

Jeff Atwater sends letter to NY parole board on behalf of accused killer

House Speaker wants sports subsidy applications ranked

Four CPA firms selected to audit lobbyists; examinations to begin in late February