Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 28, 2016

When Randall Baker began renting out a pair of College Park cottages through Airbnb, he says he thought he had done everything right. He had a business license through the state and tax receipts from the city and county. But after a neighbor complained, Orlando code enforcement determined Baker was violating zoning rules. Though he […]

Scott PowersNovember 23, 2016

As Orlandoans gather round dinner tables with family and close friends, let us start by being thankful that those of us who can be are there to gather. Let’s give thanks for a community that found comfort, faith, and strength in each others arms during the dawn following our darkest day, and for the commitment […]

Larry GriffinNovember 17, 2016

The Orlando Political Observer, a local political news site, has changed hands — now it’s owned Doug Kaplan, a Winter Park-based pollster and president of market research firm Gravis Marketing. Kaplan purchased the Orlando Political Observer from founder Frank Torres, according to a story on the site written by Torres himself. Kaplan assured readers in the OPO story […]

Terry RoenNovember 16, 2016

Nine miles of aisles of rocking rides, super-sized inflatables, and a preview of the future through virtual reality goggles are just some of the enticements at the 98th annual Attractions Expo. More than 30,000 buyers and engineers from amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, science centers, museums, and resorts jammed the International Association […]

Michael MolineNovember 14, 2016

Citrus greening may chase one of Florida’s largest landowners out of that industry. “We’re going to shift out if it and transition, probably, to cattle production,” Erik Jacobsen, president of Deseret Ranches, said in a speech in Tallahassee Monday to the Economic Club of Florida. Deseret, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Mica’s 24-year congressional career has ended representing the largely suburban, largely Republican constituency north of Orlando, thanks to voters in new parts of his district. With all but one precinct fully reported in Orange and Seminole Counties, and all early and mail-in votes counted, Democrat Stephanie Murphy has defeated Mica in a close […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2016

Tuesday night’s election was just a formality, but now it has become official: upstart Democratic candidate Aramis Ayala of Orlando was elected state attorney in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit, making her the first African-American state attorney in Florida’s history. Ayala effectively won the race when she upset incumbent Jeff Ashton in the Democratic primary in August because there were […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2016

Like the U.S. and Florida Constitution, the Orange County Charter is intended to set forth the basic framework for county governance and it is not intended to be cluttered with the agendas of out-of-town special or partisan political interests. In recent years Orange County’s job creators have become increasingly concerned that the business climate and […]

Larry GriffinNovember 4, 2016

House District 47 candidate Mike Miller is running for re-election against progressive Democrat and LGBT candidate Beth Tuura. He’s making a final push for the vote Saturday morning with a canvassing operation intended to talk to Republican and independent voters who may not have voted yet. The walk will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at […]

Associated PressNovember 3, 2016

Julieta Corredor, her two sons and their families have used their two-bedroom town house in the heart of Orlando’s tourist district as a place for honeymoons, family gatherings and college housing during the more than 30 years they’ve owned it. When one of the world’s largest timeshare companies bought up the surrounding condominium units and […]

Tag: Orange County

Orlando grapples with Airbnb, other rental networks

Orlando’s cornucopia of thanks runneth over for area leaders

Orlando Political Observer purchased by Doug Kaplan-led group

Attractions Expo gives a glimpse of the future of entertainment

Blaming greening, Deseret Ranches foresees the end of its citrus production

Stephanie Murphy topples John Mica in CD 7

Aramis Ayala becomes first black state attorney in Florida’s history

Robert Agrusa: Orange County charter questions – how could it affect my business?

Mike Miller plans final canvassing walk to get Republicans to vote in HD 47 race

Holdout family won’t sell Florida condo to timeshare giant