Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonOctober 31, 2018

The witching hour is upon us. Ghosts and ghouls fill the streets. Zombies walk side-by-side with princesses and superheroes. Their mission the same: Spook and scare their neighbors in hopes of scoring enough candy to sustain them for the next year. Florida Retailers are expecting their tills to be flush thanks to the most frightening […]

Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court will now consider whether general election voters will get to see a constitutional amendment ending live greyhound racing. Lawyers for the state and the Florida Greyhound Association gave argument Wednesday before the state’s seven justices. As usual, the court offered no clue when it might rule. The association challenged the amendment, saying […]

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2018

Lobbying firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney brought in an estimated $720,000 in fees during between April and June according to newly filed compensation reports. Lobbyists are required to report compensation from their principals in ranges covering $10,000 increments. Using the median number from those ranges shows the firm’s efforts yielded $430,000 in revenue for legislative lobbying […]

Staff ReportsJune 13, 2018

Retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding has joined the Florida Greyhound Association‘s (FGA) legal team. The addition of Harding, a high court appointee of the late Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, was announced Wednesday by association general counsel Jeff Kottkamp. Harding served on the Florida Supreme Court 1991-2002; Kottkamp was Florida’s lieutenant governor from 2007-11 under Gov. Charlie […]

Drew WilsonMay 21, 2018

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney beat its fourth-quarter earnings by nearly $100,000 according to newly filed compensation reports. The firm brought an estimated $785,000 during the first quarter of 2018, which included the 2018 Legislative Session — a $95,000 improvement over its Q4 2017 report. The haul came in with a lighter roster, too. Just ten […]

Jim RosicaApril 17, 2018

The group that represents the state’s racing-greyhound breeders and owners will challenge a proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw dog racing, its spokesman and lobbyist told Florida Politics Tuesday. Jack Cory, who represents the Florida Greyhound Association (FGA), said former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and former appellate judge Paul Hawkes, who also now represent the group, are working on […]

Jim RosicaApril 16, 2018

Florida voters will decide whether to outlaw greyhound racing under a proposed constitutional amendment approved Monday. The proposal (P6012) was passed by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on a 27-10 vote; it needed at least 22 votes. It will go directly to November’s statewide ballot, where it needs at least 60 percent approval to be added to […]

Guest AuthorApril 9, 2018

Florida voters will be asked in November to decide the fate of the work product of the third Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) since the 1968 Constitution that created the CRC process. Currently, this CRC has produced perhaps as many as 13 additional ballot questions (total of 18 on the ballot) effecting up to 25 changes […]

Guest AuthorMarch 15, 2018

Consitution Revision Commission Proposal 67 would amend Florida’s Constitution and prohibit wagering on greyhound races, including ones sanctioned by licensed owners. According to the Division of Pari-mutuel Racing, there are 21 greyhound racing permit holders in Florida with 12 greyhound race tracks currently in operation. In addition to live greyhound racing, 11 of those tracks […]

Tag: Paul Hawkes
Last time this happened, the Earth got plants. Image via Popular Science.

Halloween is brought you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer

High court hears argument on dog racing ban

Diverse clients boost Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney bottom line

Personnel note: Major B. Harding joins greyhound group’s legal team

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney saw earnings boost in Q1

Greyhound owners plan legal challenge of dog racing ban

Greyhound racing ban heads to voters

Jeff Kottkamp, Paul Hawkes: Greyhound amendment does not belong in our constitution

Jeff Kottkamp and Paul Hawkes: Ending greyhound racing could cost state $500M