Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott sounded the alarm Thursday evening — again — on a bill that is the bane of his existence this session: HB 7005. “Tomorrow, members of the Florida House of Representatives will vote on HB 7005, a bill which eliminates a large majority of Florida’s economic development and jobs programs. The State of Florida […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

The Florida House Thursday began its consideration of a bill to obliterate the Enterprise Florida economic development organization, castigated by Speaker Richard Corcoran as a dispenser of “corporate welfare.” The bill (HB 7005) also gets rid of a swarm of business incentive programs that sponsor Paul Renner said fail the return-on-investment test. (They are listed in the bill analysis.) Several […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

House Democrats on Thursday grilled the sponsor of a bill that would overhaul and clamp down on VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency. The full House began its consideration of the measure (HB 9) with questions to bill sponsor Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican. “It is simply a bill about accountability,” he said. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

As the House gets ready to start considering a bill to overhaul VISIT FLORIDA, its sponsor filed an amendment to dilute some of its strict requirements. The measure (HB 9) will be on the House floor today (Thursday) for questions. Rep. Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, filed the amendment Tuesday, records show. It would […]

Phil AmmannMarch 8, 2017

A House subcommittee unanimously passed a bill to help service members and spouses find and keep jobs when they relocate to Florida. HB 615, known as Occupational Opportunity Act, sailed through the Florida Careers & Competition Subcommittee Tuesday with a bipartisan vote. Next stop for the bill is the full Commerce Committee. Palm Beach Republican Paul […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 6, 2017

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HB 1325, filed by Palm Coast Republican Rep. Paul Renner, would modify a number of regulations currently in place relative to Florida elections. One change would affect the payment of a filing fee, requiring a money order or cashier’s check drawn from funds contained within the campaign account. Stricken from statute: language allowing candidates to pay […]

Drew WilsonMarch 6, 2017

Veterans advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America announced its priorities for the 2017 Legislative Session, including support for bills that would help veterans by giving them tax breaks and helping them hold down jobs after leaving the military. “Florida should welcome veterans and military families, instead of pushing them away with burdensome taxes and regulations […]

William PatrickMarch 2, 2017

Democratic lawmaker David Richardson appears to be getting his Enterprise Florida wish from his conservative House colleagues. The Miami Beach state rep won’t be getting a grant from the taxpayer-supported economic incentive organization; rather he’ll soon have a chance to help abolish it. House leadership, headed by Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, will be splitting […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 1, 2017

When Florida Gov. Rick Scott makes a “Fighting for Florida Jobs” stop in a town, it’s not so he can study the local traffic patterns. Rather, it’s intended to send a message to local Republicans: the Florida House is getting in the way of the gubernatorial agenda relative to Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida. Wednesday afternoon found […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 27, 2017

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In a letter to fellow members, state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz says House leadership now is planning to bifurcate its legislation to eliminate Enterprise Florida and to overhaul VISIT FLORIDA. The Senate, however, so far still intends to keep Enterprise Florida as part of its economic development tool chest. On Monday, Diaz – the Miami-Dade Republican who chairs the House […]

Tag: Paul Renner

Rick Scott: ‘Florida Lawmakers to vote on job killing legislation tomorrow’

House looks at bill to kill Enterprise Florida

House begins looking at VISIT FLORIDA overhaul

Sponsor proposes changes to VISIT FLORIDA bill

House committee passes military Occupational Opportunity Act

Paul Renner elections bill affects filing fees, extended polling hours

Veterans group releases priorities ahead of 2017 Legislative Session

Does splitting bill in two edge Enterprise Florida closer to chopping block?

Rick Scott defends incentives, bashes Travis Cummings in Orange Park

House splitting legislation on incentives, tourism funding