Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 27, 2018

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit from Indian River County, clearing the way for Brightline to consider its next steps in building a higher-speed passenger railroad that could connect West Palm Beach and Orlando. “The court’s decision adds momentum to our efforts of connecting Orlando to South Florida,” Brightline spokeswoman Ali Soule said in […]

Scott PowersNovember 27, 2018

Characterizing Virgin Trains USA’s agreement offering safety upgrades while ending some longtime opposition as a good first step, more is needed, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield said Tuesday. Mayfield intends to keep the pressure on the private railroad company seeking to extend passenger train service. Over the weekend, Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline (and All Aboard […]

Scott PowersOctober 19, 2018

Democratic congressional candidate Sanjay Patel has launched his first video commercial, a digital ad that talks about how his brother’s death from cancer has inspired him to seek better, and how for him that includes affordable health care, a fairer economy, environmental protection and investments in schools and infrastructure. The two-minute, 17-second video, released on […]

Scott PowersOctober 11, 2018

The Sierra Club of Florida has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Sanjay Patel in his race against Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Posey in Florida’s 8th Congressional District. The club, which calls itself the nation’s largest and most influential environmental organization, announced the endorsement Thursday, declaring Patel an “environmental champion.” “We are pleased to announce today that […]

Scott PowersOctober 10, 2018

More than 388,000 homes and businesses lost power in the onslaught of Michael, with Bay County taking the brunt, according to the first power-outage release issued shortly before 6 p.m. by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. In Bay County, where Michael came ashore, more than 99,000 of the 108,000 homes and businesses were without […]

Scott PowersJuly 19, 2018

Martin and Indian River counties and Citizens Against Rail Expansion Florida are asking a federal judge to vacate the federal approval that would allow All Aboard Florida to sell $1.15 billion in private activity bonds to finance the railway expansion to send higher-speed Brightline passenger trains between Souh Florida and Orlando. In a federal case […]

Scott PowersFebruary 13, 2018

Martin and Indian River Counties, together with the Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida organization, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against U.S. Department of Transportation officials for approving the Brightline private passenger train. The suit, which also included the Indian River County Emergency Services District, charges that the federal department, Secretary Elaine Chao, the Federal […]

Scott PowersDecember 15, 2017

Indian River and Martin counties and Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida are seeking to delay and move Florida Development Finance Corporation consideration of financing for the All Aboard Florida train, charging that the meeting could violate Florida’s open meeting laws. The two counties and CARE-Florida are opponents of All Aboard Florida’s plans to develop […]

Scott PowersOctober 16, 2017

A Brightline train derailed in February and opponents of the planned, east-coast, high-speed passenger rail service expressed frustration Monday that they only recently learned about the accident and criticized the company for not mentioning it during Florida Legislature testimony about rail safety. Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida and the counties of Indian River and […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 27, 2017

Jack Latvala is expanding his appeal as a “hero” with first responders across Florida. On Wednesday, the Clearwater Republican announced firefighters in St. Petersburg, Coral Gables and Indian River County have added their support to his bid to become Florida governor. “You have become a hero among firefighters,” said Indian River County Professional Firefighters and […]

Tag: Indian River County

Brightline wins again in court, clearing tracks for Orlando run

Debbie Mayfield intends to keep pressure on Virgin Trains USA

Sanjay Patel launches digital ad in CD 8 race

Sierra Club backing Sanjay Patel in CD 8 race

Power outages now affecting 388,000 customers after Hurricane Michael

Martin, Indian River counties ask federal judge to stop Brightline’s bonds

Brightline opponents sue federal officials for approving train

Opponents of All Aboard Florida charge finance meeting may violate Sunshine Laws

Brightline February train car derailment comes to light; critics call it ‘disturbing’

Florida firefighters, first responders continue lining up behind Jack Latvala