Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 17, 2016

Crystal Sircy, the chief operating officer of Enterprise Florida (EFI), the state’s public-private economic development agency, is leaving to join the Orlando Economic Development Commission as its new executive vice president. Sircy, who has been with EFI since 1997, announced her resignation in an email to “stakeholders” last Thursday that was provided to FloridaPolitics.com on Monday. “I […]

Mitch PerryOctober 11, 2016

Florida Republican leaders have been conspicuously quiet about where they stand on Amendment 2, the ballot initiative that would legalize medical marijuana. “I think a lot of people are being quiet about it because they assume it’s going to pass and they don’t want to be on the wrong side,” incoming Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack […]

Peter SchorschOctober 10, 2016

Now that the ink is dry on a federal criminal plea deal that put an end to a $36 million housing fraud, what will legislators do now to make sure it doesn’t happen again? To recap, federal prosecutors had alleged 70-year-old developer Lloyd Boggio of Carlisle Development Group and others defrauded the government out of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 4, 2016

Since his selection to be Donald Trump’s running mate back in July, it’s been downright amusing at times to watch Mike Pence have to answer for his new boss while being asked about his latest outrageous comment. “Torturous” might be the best term to explain some of the responses he’s had to come up with to defend […]

Mitch PerryOctober 3, 2016

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Last Friday, Clearwater Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala announced he would be opposing Amendment 2, the imitative calling for legalizing medical marijuana in the Sunshine State. “Amendment 2 is bad for Florida,” Latvala says in a short video on the Facebook page created for his election campaign. “The constitution is forever,” he says. “Future legislators or judges can’t change it, […]

Peter SchorschOctober 3, 2016

Hello, October. This is the final full month of the 2016 campaign cycle. In five weeks, we will know so much more about the future of the country, the state and our communities. But, no matter what, life will go on. For those in “The Process” — Florida Politics’ term for the unending legislative campaign/legislative session […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala, his chamber’s next budget chief, Friday said he might file legislation for next year to put municipal utilities under the supervision of the state’s Public Service Commission. “I think you’re going to see a bill dealing with the municipalities that are currently not supervised by anybody above them, in terms of […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2016

State Sen. Jack Latvala told reporters Friday he would again support money in the state budget for business incentives and state worker pay raises. “If we’re going to have economic development, and jobs are still the No. 1 thing on people’s minds, then we need to fund it,” he said after a medical marijuana press […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2016

The forces against this year’s medical marijuana initiative lined up a one-two punch Friday against the proposed state constitutional amendment. Former state Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell provided the legal jab, saying marijuana doesn’t belong in the state’s chief governing document. He addressed reporters at a press conference in Tallahassee. “You create a fundamental right that […]

Anne LindbergSeptember 28, 2016

The Florida Farm Bureau-Pinellas has endorsed four Republicans running for re-election to the state House of Representatives. Reps. Chris Latvala, House District 67, and Larry Ahern, HD 66, received contribution checks from Farm Bureau-Pinellas board members Leslie Waters and Fred Petty during the group’s annual dinner earlier this month. Waters is mayor of Seminole and […]

Tag: Jack Latvala

Personnel note: Crystal Sircy heads to Orlando EDC

Some Florida Republicans AWOL on talking about Amendment 2

Who watches the low-income housing watchmen? (Part III)

The Mitch Perry Report for 10.4.16 — And now for something completely different

Jack Latvala comes out against medical pot; the internet reacts

Here’s where stuff stands in Tampa Bay politics — the ‘it’s October’ edition

Jack Latvala says bill may put PSC over local utilities

Jack Latvala backs business incentives, raises for state workers

‘Reefer Madness’ returns to Tallahassee

Florida Farm Bureau-Pinellas endorses four Republicans for state House