Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 19, 2018

Newly-released data show that 209 students from Puerto Rico and 22 from the U.S. Virgin Islands whose families fled hurricane devastation were able to graduate from Central Florida schools this spring, state Rep. Bob Cortes announced Tuesday. Cortes pushed last fall for the state to streamline and expedite the school transfer processes for students evacuated […]

Drew WilsonMay 24, 2018

Holland & Knight reeled in up to $740,000 in lobbying fees during the first three months of the year, which included 2018 Legislative Session. Newly filed compensation reports show the firm earned between $250,000 and $490,000 lobbying the Legislature and another $100,000 to $250,000 lobbying the Governor and Cabinet. Using the median number reported for […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2018

With the Republican Party of Hillsborough, $20,000 goes a long way. First, it buys a spot at next month’s Lincoln Day Dinner, seated at a table with Gov. Rick Scott. Scott is headlining the event — themed “Let Freedom Ring” — along with Attorney General Pam Bondi (as Master of Ceremonies) and U.S. Reps. Dennis […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2018

In a move with long-range ramifications for huge developments in Central Florida, road networks linking to the Space Coast, and promises assumed in the state’s nature preservation efforts, the Central Florida Expressway Authority Thursday moved ahead with a study of how best to push a new road through or around the state’s Split Oak Forest […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2018

It may have taken 16 months, an attempt by the Florida Legislature to tie local authorities’ hands, and threats of a lawsuit, but the Osceola County Commission has found what many may consider the sweet spot in approving retail sales of medical marijuana. As a result, one medical marijuana company gets exclusive rights to open […]

Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2018

Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa pulled in $23,500 for his House District 42 re-election campaign during the first five days of January, all of it coming in big checks from political committees, businesses, and lobbyists. La Rosa’s pre-Legislative Session campaign haul, which included 20 $1,000 checks, put him over the $100,000 mark for campaign […]

Scott PowersJanuary 22, 2018

Republican Wayne Liebnitzky qualified by petition for this year’s ballot in Florida’s 9th Congressional District Monday. Liebnitzky of St. Cloud is seeking a rematch with Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando. Soto beat him 57-43 in 2016. On Monday the Florida Secretary of State’s Office posted that it had received 120 valid petition signatures […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has sent out letters to county, city and housing authority officials throughout Central Florida seeking information on affordable housing shortages. The letter, from DEO Director of Community Development Julie Dennis, is exploring available resources and unmet needs that are being tested as a result of both the damages caused […]

Scott PowersJanuary 16, 2018

Republican state Rep. Bob Cortes called on Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday to reassign a “heinous” murder-for-hire prosecution case away from State Attorney Aramis Ayala of Orlando – but her office basically shrugged off the lawmaker’s demand, contending that Scott no longer has any reason to remove cases from her review. “The author of the letter […]

Scott PowersNovember 28, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election for 2018 to fill the seat vacated by former state Rep. Neil Combee in House District 39, serving parts of Polk and Osceola counties. Scott set a primary election for Feb. 20, 2018, and a general election for May 1. That would keep the seat open until […]

Tag: Osceola County

Bob Cortes: more than 230 students displaced by hurricanes graduate in Central Florida

Holland & Knight lands up to $740K in Q1 pay

Hillsborough GOP event to feature both Rick Scott, Colt handgun raffle

Central Florida Expressway Authority moves ahead with study of contentious Split Oak road

Osceola County finds sweet spot for medical marijuana dispensaries

Mike La Rosa raises $23,500 for HD 42 re-election campaign

Wayne Liebnitzky qualifies by petition for CD 9 race

Economic Opportunity surveying Central Florida housing needs

Bob Cortes calls for Rick Scott to take murder-for-hire case from Aramis Ayala

Rick Scott sets spring special election to replace Neil Combee in House