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Staff ReportsOctober 4, 2016

The 2016 Associated Industries of Florida annual conference has been postponed, organizers announced Tuesday. The annual conference was scheduled to kick off Wednesday at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando. The two-day event was expected to give AIF members a chance to hear from state leaders and discuss issues important to the business community. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 29, 2016

For Gov. Rick Scott, Florida’s future priorities are the same as they are today — jobs, jobs, jobs. The Naples Republican was one of the keynote speakers at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando on Thursday. The governor used his speech to not only pump up his proposal to set aside $85 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 29, 2016

CFO Jeff Atwater hammered home the need for workers’ compensation reform, saying recent decisions could have a significant impact on Floridians. State regulators on Tuesday approved a 14.5 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The new rates are lower than ones initially proposed by National Council on Compensation Insurance. The council proposed new […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 28, 2016

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has a theory. Some of the most talented people in the world are going to end up in Florida at some point in their lives. He just wants that to be sooner, rather than later. “I want Florida to be more than the prize for a life well lived, of success […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 21, 2016

Jeffrey Bragg has been tapped to head up Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs. Bragg will replace Sam Verghese, the current Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, according to Gov. Rick Scott’s Office. Verghese, the Governor’s Office announced Wednesday, is stepping down to pursue options in the private sector. Verghese’s last day is Sept. 23. […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2016

It’s not exactly a surprise, but Joe Biden is backing Charlie Crist in the race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. “Gov. Charlie Crist is someone who listens and makes tough choices, even when they’re not politically popular,” the vice president said in a statement issued out on Monday by the Crist campaign. “He was a governor who led from the heart, […]

Michael MolineSeptember 8, 2016

If you get an email from Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier, don’t reply. Do notify the Department of Insurance Regulation hotline at 877-693–5236. The department issued an alert Thursday warning that somebody is sending emails over Altmaier’s name, seeking to rip off consumers. “A fraudulent email, appearing to be sent from OIR Commissioner Altmaier, has […]

Mitch PerryAugust 29, 2016

Tampa Bay Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor expressed disappointment Monday that only 13 percent of eligible voters in Hillsborough County have voted by mail or at the polls heading into Election Day on Tuesday, the last day to vote in this year’s primary election. “We can do a lot better,” said Castor, who will face Republican Christine Quinn when she runs for her seat […]

Mitch PerryAugust 26, 2016

Nationally and in Florida, there are many, many Republican elected officials who seem to equivocate when asked whether or not they’ll support Donald Trump for president. Jack Latvala is not one of those Republicans. The always-irascible Pinellas County lawmaker made it clear Friday morning that while the Manhattan real estate developer is hardly his cup of […]

Joe HendersonAugust 24, 2016

Jackie Toledo has made the repeal of some immigration reforms a centerpiece of her campaign against Rebecca Smith for the House District 60 seat in next week’s Republican primary. In a recent mailer to voters, she vowed to seek the repeal of a Republican-passed law that grant in-state college tuition to what she called “illegal […]

Tag: Jeff Atwater

AIF postpones annual conference ahead of Hurricane Matthew

Rick Scott’s goal for final years in office: ‘Jobs, and then jobs, and then jobs’

Jeff Atwater urges legislative action to tackle workers’ compensation

Adam Putnam: Florida ‘can be the jumping-off point for the American Dream’

Rick Scott appoints Jeffrey Bragg as the Secretary of Elder Affairs

Joe Biden endorses Charlie Crist in CD 13 race

Scam artists impersonating Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier [update]

On eve of primary election, Kathy Castor laments low turnout so far in Hillsborough County

Jack Latvala says Michael Bay’s ’13 Hours’ one of two reasons he’s voting for Donald Trump

Joe Henderson: Jackie Toledo would be better off talking kitchen counter issues than immigration