Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 8, 2016

Did Donald Trump succeed in at last winning over college-educated whites uneasy with the billionaire reality TV star? Did he drive a wave of working-class white voters? Did Hillary Clinton rebuild Barack Obama‘s winning coalition – young voters, urban liberals and minorities – while picking off moderate Republicans? Those questions are central to who will […]

Brendan FarringtonNovember 8, 2016

Another close election in Florida? Count on it. Through Friday, 2,268,663 Democrats and 2,261,383 Republicans had cast ballots by mail or at early voting sites – a difference of 7,280 in favor of Democrats. Overall, more than 5.7 million Floridians have voted, or nearly 45 percent of those registered. That far surpasses 2012 totals, when […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 11, 2016

Even though it’s mid-October, the state of Florida continues to battle the Zika virus. And on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced $7.4 million in additional state funding to Miami-Dade County to combat Zika’s spread. The money will be allocated toward mosquito control, including increased spraying of insecticide and hiring additional staff. Since June, Gov. Scott has authorized […]

Peter SchorschJune 7, 2016

Andrew Korge, a first-time Democratic candidate for Senate District 39, has raised more than $200,000 during the last two months on the campaign trail. Korge announced Monday that he brought in roughly $102,000 in May. That’s on the heels of more than $100,000 raised in April. “Voters in District 39 are responding to our 21st century […]

Drew WilsonJune 6, 2016

Hialeah Republican Rep. Manny Diaz announced Monday his campaign brought in $26,775 last month for a total of $243,475 raised for his House District 103 re-election campaign. “Our campaign is in high gear, and we are really grateful to the folks who are investing in our conservative message and values,” Diaz said. “We will continue to work hard to […]

Peter SchorschMay 17, 2016

A coalition of Miami-Dade politicians announced a new initiative Tuesday to put tougher enforcement of local campaign finance laws and a lobbyist gift ban on the November ballot. Heading the group Accountable Miami-Dade is Monica Russo, the president of the SEIU Florida Council, and Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, the one-time Republican vice-mayor of Doral and former […]

Associated PressMay 7, 2016

Amid an FBI corruption investigation, authorities say the Miami suburb of Opa-locka is teetering toward financial collapse. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez asked Gov. Rick Scott in a letter this week to place the city of 16,000 people under state control. The Miami Herald reports the letter warns that without state support Opa-locka’s government faces complete […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2016

For the first time in four years, legislation that would create a needle exchange program aimed at curbing the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis in Miami-Dade County is headed to the governor’s desk. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the IDEA Act (the Miami-Dade Infectious Disease Elimination Act”), sponsored by Plantation Democrat Katie […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 17, 2016

Sen. Joe Negron’s SB 832 declares that “fantasy contests” — meaning endeavors such as DraftKings and FanDuel — “involve the skill of contest participants and do not constitute gambling, gaming or games of chance.” Negron, R-Stuart and a Senate-president-to-be, would regulate this non-gambling via a newly created Office of Amusement. It’s not “gambling,” it’s an […]

Tag: Miami-Dade

In White House math, certain places offer clues on outcome

It’s likely to be a close election in Florida, again

Miami-Dade to get $7.4 million more in state money to fight Zika

Andrew Korge has raised more than $200K during last two months on campaign trail

Manny Diaz takes in nearly $27K during May fundraising

Miami-Dade pols look for tougher campaign finance laws, lobbying gift ban

Amid FBI probe, Miami suburb verges on financial collapse

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Florida House passes needle exchange pilot for Miami-Dade

Jac VerSteeg: Fantasy sports aren’t gambling? How amusing