Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 4, 2017

Two Orlando residents are out $8 million after a large, out-of-state corporation forced their local businesses to shut down. The local entrepreneurs were originally enticed by the corporation to open 10 Mexican-themed fast food restaurants in the Orlando area. The California-based corporation used unrealistic sales projections and profit margins to convince the group to sign […]

Staff ReportsApril 3, 2017

If the results of a new poll are any indication, Floridians just aren’t that interested the 2018 gubernatorial election. The survey — conducted March 28 through March 29 by Gravis Marketing for The Orlando Political Observer — found 36 percent of Democratic voters and 63 percent of Republicans said they were uncertain who they would […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

Recounting an impressive list of achievements spanning four decades, veteran lawmaker Jack Latvala seems to have done it all: an effective Florida senator and political consultant, a self-described “environmentally-conscious” Republican and the proud father to state Rep. Chris Latvala. The Clearwater senator, chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, recently sat down with FloridaPolitics.com’s Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster […]

Peter SchorschApril 3, 2017

For the Republican-dominated state Legislature, helping the business community is a high priority. So, it’s not surprising that this Session, new protections for small-business owners are capturing legislators’ attention. Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries will hear SB 750, known as the Protect Florida Small Business Act. This bill, sponsored by powerful appropriations chair […]

Peter SchorschApril 2, 2017

A pro tip for anyone seeking to curry favor with the Florida Legislature: get your facts straight — or at least know which state you’re trying to lobby. A couple of months ago, state Sen. Jack Latvala and Rep. Jason Brodeur announced supporting the “Protect Florida Small Business Act” (SB 750), which seeks to “promote […]

Staff ReportsMarch 29, 2017

On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources issued the first version of its 2017-18 budget, which comes in at $3.8 billion. The projected Senate budget includes few hundred million dollars more than the preliminary House plan. Fleming Island Republican Rob Bradley, who chairs the committee, offered a thumbnail version at a […]

Peter SchorschMarch 29, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala has backed Gov. Rick Scott in his defense of Enterprise Florida—but that wasn’t always the case. The Clearwater Republican, who now chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, had some choice words for the public-private economic development organization back in 2015. That’s when he was chair of the Senate’s Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development […]

Joe HendersonMarch 27, 2017

Short of hitting yourself in the head with a hammer, the surest way to get a headache is to wade deep into Tampa Bay area transportation problems. You encounter a mishmash of competing agencies and agendas that has resulted in legislative and automotive gridlock for frustrated commuters for years. Given that, I’m encouraged by what […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2017

Legislation that would create a regional transit agency connecting four Tampa Bay-area counties breezed through committees in both the House and Senate last week. The proposed agency would be created in advance of a much anticipated Florida Dept. of Transportation transit study scheduled to be completed next year. “It’s a real project. It’s not just talk. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 24, 2017

Lake Geneva in Keystone Heights isn’t what it used to be. And neither is Keystone Heights. Decades back, Lake Geneva was full — kids swam in the water that used to be underneath the raised pavilion. Out on the lake, water skiing contests and other events supported local businesses and brought tourists from miles around […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
Image via TCEC.

Keith Miller: Florida’s small businesses need protections in state law

Poll shows Floridians undecided on 2018 gubernatorial options

INFLUENCE Magazine talks with Jack Latvala on life, political success and ‘what he’s learned’

Lawmakers looking to give boost to Florida’s local franchise business owners

Franchise group tweets tone-deaf opposition to ‘Florida Small Business Act’

Senate issues draft $3.8B environmental budget, millions higher than House

Was Jack Latvala against Enterprise Florida before he was for it?

Joe Henderson: Proposed new transportation agency a good start toward solving an old problem

Tampa Bay Partnership on board with Jack Latvala-Dan Raulerson bill creating regional transit agency

Rob Bradley: ‘The lakes have left us’