Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 11, 2017

Nick DiCeglie has been in the race for House District 66 for a month and his first campaign finance report, released Tuesday, signals a momentum shift in the GOP primary between him and Berny Jacques. Jacques filed March 3 and was the first-in candidate for the Pinellas County-based seat. Since showing $30,000 raised in his […]

Peter SchorschOctober 9, 2017

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Chris Spencer, longtime aide to Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, is leaving the Legislature to become a lobbyist at the Tampa office of GrayRobinson, the law firm announced Monday. “Spencer has nearly a decade of experience working with Florida’s legislative and executive branches,” a press release said. “Prior to joining GrayRobinson, he managed […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2017

A newly-formed Miami-Dade company is seeking an OK from state regulators to install what it calls “self-checkout micro marts” with beer and wine. Or, as one regulated industries lobbyist privately put it, “Hey, booze from vending machines? What could go wrong?” Nothing, the company suggests. La Galere Markets of Coral Gables, which filed articles of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 6, 2017

Soon, a lot more electric vehicles will be on Florida roads. Jeff Brandes wants the state to get ready. At least seven electric cars are coming to market by 2020, according to Business Insider, with several considered to be relatively affordable. That will make a total of 39 different models of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles and 44 […]

Phil AmmannOctober 4, 2017

Ed Hooper, in his bid to return to Tallahassee, picked up a major endorsement Wednesday from Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano. Fasano, a former Republican state lawmaker, has been a longtime political force in West Pasco County. Hooper, who served in the House from 2006 to 2014, is running in Senate District 16, covering […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 19, 2017

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, and with Hurricane Maria now churning the Atlantic, Florida lawmakers are forming or calling for blue-ribbon panels to improve the state’s readiness to deal with monster storms. House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Tuesday announced the creation of a “Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness” to “gather information, solicit ideas […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 5, 2017

Former House Speaker Will Weatherford is backing Ed Hooper for the state senate seat being vacated by Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, who terms out in 2018. “Ed Hooper was an important member of my leadership team when I was Speaker of the Florida House, I could always rely on him for good counsel,” Weatherford said, […]

Scott PowersAugust 30, 2017

When the public agency that runs the Tri-Rail commuter trains in South Florida dumped five less-expensive proposals and awarded a ten-year, $511 million, operations and maintenance contract last winter, the agency followed rules spelled out in that particular proposal but they conflicted with the agency’s standing internal procurement rules, a draft state investigation report concludes. […]

Peter SchorschAugust 28, 2017

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Florida’s top Republican lawmakers are lending a helping hand to the GOP nominees in three special elections going down this fall, according to fundraising invitations sent out Friday. A fundraiser benefitting Republican Rep. Jose Felix Diaz’s Senate bid is set for Sept. 14. Senate President Joe Negron and the two Senators in line to succeed […]

Phil AmmannAugust 7, 2017

Tampa International Airport is preparing for the future, moving ahead with a multibillion-dollar expansion project while setting new passenger records in 2017. However, Noah Pransky of WTSP found that TIA appears hesitant to embrace the latest transportation disruptor: ridesharing technology companies Uber and Lyft. With significant ridership increases, Uber and Lyft have impacted airport revenues […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Berny Jacques fundraising slows as Nick DiCeglie enters race

Personnel note: Chris Spencer heads to GrayRobinson

Beer, wine from vending machines? Fla. company says ‘yes’

Jeff Brandes wants Florida to prepare for future wave of electric cars

Ed Hooper nabs Mike Fasano endorsement for SD 16

Calls for blue-ribbon hurricane panels abound in Capitol

Will Weatherford endorses Ed Hooper for state Senate

Draft investigation report: Tri-Rail did not follow rules in $511 million, one-bid deal

Fundraisers set for three GOP special election candidates

Is Tampa airport expansion ‘betting big’ on old tech over distuptors like ridesharing?