Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersApril 24, 2017

More than a dozen Democratic Florida House members have formed the Progressive Legislative Caucus, with firebrand state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith of Orlando elected as its first chair. The caucus held its organization meeting last week with Smith becoming chair, state Rep. Amy Mercado of Orlando vice chair, and state Rep. Joseph Abruzzo of Boca […]

Scott PowersApril 19, 2017

With Democrats such as herself facing innumerable challenges in a President Donald Trump administration and Republican dominated Congress, U.S. Rep. Val Demings found triumphs – and joy – in moments of resistance. The freshman congresswoman from Orlando outlined her first 100 days on Capitol Hill Wednesday and looked ahead expressing her optimism and faith, particularly in the American […]

Scott PowersApril 14, 2017

After watching Orlando just miss the cut for federal counter-terrorism grants the past two years, Orlando’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings is putting together a bipartisan push to get such money increased to help mid-sized cities. Demings and U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Texas Republican whose hometown of San Antonio also got passed over for […]

Scott PowersApril 12, 2017

Surrounded by what’s billed as the world’s new center for tennis but yet also almost in the shadow of a failed medical research center, Gov. Rick Scott brought his plea for salvation for Enterprise Florida and VISIT Florida to Orlando’s Lake Nona community Wednesday – urging pressure on the mostly-Republican group of lawmakers set to […]

Associated PressApril 9, 2017

The FBI has been reviewing the handling of thousands of terrorism-related tips and leads from the past three years to make sure they were properly investigated and no obvious red flags were missed, The Associated Press has learned. The review follows attacks by people who were once on the FBI’s radar but who have been […]

Scott PowersApril 5, 2017

Orlando Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King introduced himself to Florida Tuesday evening as the “progressive entrepreneur” promising to bring bring a head for hard work, return on investment and financial stewardship but also a heart to Tallahassee. King, a 38-year-old Winter Park businessman with no experience in politics, kicked off his campaign for the state’s […]

Associated PressApril 4, 2017

Dry weather has caused the water level in Lake Okeechobee drop below the minimum range targeted for South Florida’s drinking water supply. The Sun Sentinel reports that if the dry spring becomes a summer drought, water restrictions could follow. On Monday, officials said the lake was at 12.46 feet (3.8 meters) above sea level, which […]

Guest AuthorApril 4, 2017

Two Orlando residents are out $8 million after a large, out-of-state corporation forced their local businesses to shut down. The local entrepreneurs were originally enticed by the corporation to open 10 Mexican-themed fast food restaurants in the Orlando area. The California-based corporation used unrealistic sales projections and profit margins to convince the group to sign […]

Scott PowersApril 3, 2017

After more than a month of silent campaign building since he filed to run for governor, Orlando Democratic businessman Chris King is ready to come out into the limelight, King announced he will be holding his campaign kickoff at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hillcrest Hampton House in Orlando. That is a senior affordable housing community his […]

Associated PressMarch 24, 2017

Three metro areas in Florida were among the nation’s 10 biggest gainers in the number of people moving there last year, and another three Florida metro areas were in the top 10 for overall growth rates. The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday said the Tampa area had the nation’s fourth-highest gain from people moving there […]

Tag: Orlando
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann mugshot. Image via Collier County Jail.

House forms first-ever Legislative Progressive Caucus

Val Demings hails triumphs of resistance in Republican D.C.

Val Demings pushes for more federal counter-terrorism money

Rick Scott brings Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida pitch to Lake Nona

FBI reviews handling of terrorism-related tips

Chris King vows to bring ‘progressive entrepreneur’ spirit to Governor’s office

Lake Okeechobee water level drops below targeted range

Keith Miller: Florida’s small businesses need protections in state law

Chris King to kick off gubernatorial run as Democrat

Florida cities among the biggest population gainers