Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill this week aimed at eradicating invasive species, such as the rightly maligned Burmese python, from wreaking havoc in Sunshine State ecosystems. SB 168 creates a pilot program within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) allowing them to hire private contractors to capture or kill any of a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 29, 2018

Updated May 1 — Court records show that the cases reported below were settled out of court and closed. The terms of the settlements were not disclosed. __ As news broke earlier this year that a real estate tycoon was in talks to buy Hallandale Beach’s Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track, longtime casino head Dan Adkins […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 24, 2018

A bill that would ban marriages for anyone under the age of 17 and legislation expressing the state’s intent to observe Daylight Saving time year-round were among 74 bills Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on Friday. The marriage bill (SB 140) prevents minors from being granted nuptial licenses. With parental consent, 17-year-olds can wed […]

Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott vowed to ensure tourism stayed vibrant even after Hurricane Irma wreaked its havoc, and the numbers released Tuesday in Naples show that he pulled it off. The 116.5 million visitors, per VISIT FLORIDA, mark a 3.6 percent increase over the 112.4 million visitors in 2016. This was despite a loss of 1.8 million visitors […]

Scott PowersMarch 12, 2018

Republican Gov. Rick Scott still isn’t officially in the race for Florida’s U.S. Senate election this year but that’s not stopping Democrats from hammering him with two new digital ads being released Monday, raising questions about his financial blind trust and his missing nursing home voicemails. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is releasing the digital […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 1, 2018

The House and Senate in negotiations have seemingly agreed on funding for job and tourism incentives — but still are significantly apart on spends for hurricane-related affordable housing programs that are now expected to be ironed out by budget chairs Rep. Carlos Trujillo and Sen. Rob Bradley. A recent Senate offer in the Transportation, Tourism, […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 24, 2018

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With less than two weeks before the end of the 2018 Legislative Session, the pot of money lawmakers must work with in order to craft a state budget is shrinking rapidly. At work are two factors: one is a revised estimate for state tax and revenue collections, the second is the estimated cost of the […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 19, 2018

Reimbursements will come sooner or later for the city of Jacksonville from the federal government for Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. Until then, however, the impact of the storms will be felt in the city’s general fund budget. The Jacksonville City Council Auditor’s quarterly report for the final three months of 2017 puts the figures in […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 12, 2018

After contentious weeks at the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Darren Soto has turned his attention toward Tallahassee, where he believes legislators face “big challenges” and should seize the opportunity to unite on major issues facing the state. The Orlando-area Democrat gave his take on the state’s Session on Monday during a press conference with several Hispanic […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 10, 2018

A list of 10 amendment proposals, dubbed “the terrible ten,” is making the rounds as the Constitution Revision Commission nears a May deadline to submit its final report. The left-leaning advocacy group, League of Women Voters of Florida, has come up with its “worst of the worst” list compiled of what they say are proposed […]

Tag: Hurricane Irma

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Python purge

Ante up: Dan Adkins, Hartman & Tyner suing each other over lost ‘millions’

Child marriage ban, year-round Daylight Saving time signed into law

Despite Irma, Florida sets another tourism record

Democrats hammer Rick Scott’s finances, statements with new digital ads

Affordable housing issues likely headed to budget chairs

As lawmakers tiptoe to budget negotiating starting line, state revenue estimate is cut by $167 million

$130M+ hit for Jacksonville from hurricanes, as financial storm clouds loom

Darren Soto: State lawmakers need to unite on policy

Takeaways from Tallahassee — ‘Terrible ten’