Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 1, 2017

Mike Dew, the Florida Department of Transportation‘s chief of staff, now has applied to be Secretary of the department, according to a list of applicants released Monday. As of Monday’s deadline, 125 people had applied for the open position, created when former Secretary Jim Boxold resigned in January to join Tallahassee’s Capital City Consulting firm. Dew applied Monday […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

The biggest political setback for the Donald Trump administration, thus far: the failure to get the American Health Care Act even to the House floor. The administration’s attempts to message its health care reform legislation were short-lived. However, one of the key theaters in that effort was Jacksonville, where VP Mike Pence, Gov. Rick Scott, and Mayor Lenny Curry messaged on […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2017

As VP Mike Pence prepared to come to Jacksonville last Saturday to sell the American Health Care Act to Florida, some of the best members of the media dreaded it. A TV person’s reaction: “Oh, God, I hope I don’t get called in.” A print guy’s take: “I hate watching these politician events.” In the end, neither of […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson made his feelings known on the GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Spoiler: the Democrat from Florida’s 5th Congressional District stands in opposition, calling the Republican proposal “smoke and mirrors” in a Wednesday op-ed for the Tallahassee Democrat. Lawson’s editorial distilled familiar Democratic talking points: “Tax breaks to the wealthiest […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2017

President Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday adding human exploration of Mars to NASA’s mission. Could sending Congress into space be next? Flanked at an Oval Office bill-signing ceremony by astronauts and lawmakers, Trump observed that being an astronaut is a “pretty tough job.” He said he wasn’t sure he’d want it and, among lawmakers he […]

Staff ReportsMarch 18, 2017

Saturday saw United States Vice-President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Rick Scott talking about what Pence called “the Obamacare nightmare” with small business owners in Jacksonville. Scott, who closed out the news week reprising a familiar call to allow the states to administer Medicaid via block grants, has worked closely with President Donald Trump and his administration on possible alternatives to the […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott appears in Jacksonville with Vice-President Mike Pence Saturday, and the governor set up that meeting with some direct words about the future of Medicaid in the state. “Today, the State of Florida is requesting greater flexibility from the federal government in running our statewide Medicaid program so we can deliver high-quality care without […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2017

Vice-President Mike Pence and Gov. Rick Scott will be in Jacksonville Saturday afternoon. The subject: health care reform, specifically the House version of legislation, and the President’s economic agenda. The roundtable event will include small businesses, and is invite only. Pence is slated to begin his remarks at 2:15, though invited guests are urged to be there […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is joining with the nation’s governors who are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Scott is leaving Thursday for Washington D.C. where he will attend events connected to the winter meetings of the National Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association. Reports indicate Scott is the favorite to become Vice […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2017

For the past eight years, thousands of conservative activists have descended on Washington each spring with dreams of putting a Republican in the White House. This year, they’re learning reality can be complicated. With Donald Trump‘s presidential victory, the future of the conservative movement has become entwined with an unconventional New York businessman better known […]

Tag: Mike Pence

Mike Dew now vying for top spot at Dep’t of Transportation

Despite AHCA punt, Rick Scott and Lenny Curry want to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare

How Mike Pence wasted Jacksonville’s time

Al Lawson: GOP health care plan ‘smoke and mirrors’

Donald Trump signs NASA bill, ponders sending Congress to space

Mike Pence: ‘Florida can’t afford Obamacare anymore’

Rick Scott to Feds: Give us a Medicaid block grant

Mike Pence, Rick Scott to talk health care reform in Jacksonville Saturday

Rick Scott joining with other governors in D.C.

Conservatives welcome Donald Trump with delight – and wariness