Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksJuly 16, 2015

Whether or not one agrees about the presence of climate change, or the cause of it, there is some agreement in the area of energy diversification. For example, liberals and conservatives routinely join forces to promote the benefits of solar energy. Those living outside Florida are surprised to discover we do not come anywhere near […]

Daniel TilsonJune 18, 2015

Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one who didn’t vote in 2014. If you gag when you see your electric bill, wonder why the Sunshine State barely uses solar power, or frown at the idea of unidentified toxic chemicals being pumped into the ground under you… Well hey, this is a story about why voting really […]

Mitch PerryJune 11, 2015

The Tampa Bay Times lead Thursday is a story that we touched upon briefly Wednesday because the Legislature is now half-way through its Special Session in Tallahassee: There are fears among Tampa leaders that state funding for a USF College of Medicine building ($17 million) and accompanying USF Heart Institute ($15.75 million) is in peril. […]

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2015

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 7109 into law Wednesday, a bill that makes modest reforms at the state Public Service Commission. The law limits future Public Service Commission members to three consecutive four-year terms and requires commissioners to undergo annual ethics training. The bill was weakened when the House refused to accept a Senate amendment […]

Bruce RitchieMay 1, 2015

Another legislative session dubbed the “year of water” failed to deliver in 2015 as the House went home early over a health care spending dispute with the Senate. HB 7003, a water bill that was a legislative priority of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, passed the House by a 106-9 vote on the second day of […]

Bruce RitchieApril 29, 2015

The Senate on Wednesday voted to strip off amendments it passed to a bill involving Duke Energy Florida and financing for its Crystal River nuclear plant and sent the bill to the governor. HB 7109 would allow Duke Energy to issue bonds to cover $1.4 billion in operating costs prior to the shutdown of its Crystal […]

Bruce RitchieApril 28, 2015

The Florida House adjourned the 2015 Legislative Session on Tuesday, leaving bills dealing with water policy, hydraulic fracturing, septic tank waste and Duke Energy Florida in doubt. As the Senate was discussing fracking legislation, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli told House members there was no reason to keep House members in Tallahassee because of an impasse […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that would allow Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the shutdown of its Crystal River nuclear plant isn’t necessarily doomed in the House because of bill changes made by the Senate on Friday, a leading House supporter said. HB 7109 allows Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the $1.4 billion nuclear […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The Senate on Friday voted to send an amended Public Service Commission bill back to the House after Sen. Jack Latvala indicated that Capitol lobbyists are not pleased with it. HB 7109 would limit PSC members to serving three four-year terms and require those who lobby to register the PSC Nominating Council to register as […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

A Senate bill amendment to bar legislators from being on the Public Service Commission within two years of leaving office was withdrawn Thursday. Sen. John Legg, a Republican from Lutz, had filed the amendment to SB 288, a PSC bill that was brought up on second reading Thursday. The amendment was withdrawn because of a […]

Tag: Public Service Commission

Bob Sparks: Florida should be a solar haven for consumers, entrepreneurs

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott's Public Service Commission: "Frack you, Florida!"

Mitch Perry Report for 6.11.15 — Picking winners and losers in Tallahassee

Rick Scott OKs modest reforms to Public Service Commission, public utilities

“Year of water” failed along with most environmental bills

Senate passes Duke/PSC bill after House rejected amendments

Fracking, land management and water bills left in doubt

Duke Energy bill not doomed by Senate changes, key House supporter says

Senate sends PSC bill back to House with changes that “folks in the hall” don’t like

PSC/Duke Energy bill teed up for Senate vote after amendment withdrawn