Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonNovember 25, 2017

A coalition of Florida businesses touted a poll Wednesday that shows broad support among Florida small business owners for laws protecting LGBTQ workers and customers from discrimination. “Small business owners recognize that to find the most talented employees, they need to ensure their workplace has non-discrimination policies in place,” said Florida Competes spokesperson Christina Johnson. […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

Note: a previous version of this story inaccurately reported the campaign finances of Lee Mangold, Democrat running in House District 29 in northern Seminole County. Republican State Rep. David Santiago led all Central Florida candidates for the Florida House of Representatives in October fundraising drawing in $21,000 for his re-election bid in Florida’s House District […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2017

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The influx of Puerto Rican refugees to Florida may reach the hundreds of thousands, many might stay, and the need to help them recover from Hurricane Maria and assimilate could take years as the commonwealth slowly recovers from the devastation, a group of Central Florida Puerto Rican leaders told Adam Putnam Wednesday. And the Republican gubernatorial […]

Scott PowersOctober 21, 2017

Rene Plasencia sees it in the faces of countless Puerto Rican Hurricane Maria refugees when he or someone else says, “we’re here to help you.” A mixture of anguish, relief, pain, joy, fear, confidence, hopelessness, hope — all the emotions of losing everything and traveling to a strange, new place with almost nothing, and then […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

A coalition of Florida business leaders is calling on the GOP-led Legislature to ensure a bill seeking a statewide ban on discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation at least gets heard in the House and Senate in the 2018 Session. Florida Competes is comprised of 10 Fortune 500 companies, 30 major employers and more […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Will 2018 finally be the year that a statewide ban against discrimination against the LGBTQ community in employment, housing and public accommodations becomes the law of the land in Florida? Once again, the Competitive Workforce Act (HB 347) has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives, this time by St. Petersburg Democrat Ben Diamond […]

Drew WilsonOctober 16, 2017

Berny Jaques, one of the two Republicans running for HD 66 next year, is holding a campaign kickoff event Wednesday at the Salt Rick Grill in Indian Shores and all are invited, including members of the press. Jacques filed to run for HD 66 back in March, but with the entry of fellow Republican and […]

Scott PowersSeptember 26, 2017

State Reps. Rene Plasencia and Bob Cortes announced the creation of a bipartisan legislative team starting with two dozen Florida lawmakers seeking ways to assist Puerto Rico in its recovery from Hurricane Maria. Besides Cortes and Plasencia, Central Florida Republicans who both have Puerto Rico heritage, the “FL2PR Response Team” also includes Republican David Santiago […]

Scott PowersAugust 29, 2017

Florida state Reps. Bob Cortes, Rene Plasencia, and David Santiago are headed to Puerto Rico Wednesday for continuing talks on developing relationships between the commonwealth’s government and Florida’s government. The trio of Central Florida Republicans all have Puerto Rico heritage and represent districts with large populations of Puerto Rican migrants. Cortes is from Altamonte Springs; […]

Scott PowersJuly 10, 2017

A Brevard County commissioner is taking on Puerto Rico, in a confrontation that is rumbling through Central Florida’s Puerto Rican population and bound to lead to a showdown Tuesday night at the county commission meeting. John Tobia, a Republican former member of the Florida House of Representatives who now represents southeast Brevard on the county […]

Tag: Rene Plasencia

Florida’s small businesses support LGBTQ workers, customers

David Santiago leads all Central Florida House candidates in October fundraising

Puerto Rico leaders say evacuees’ needs may last years; Adam Putnam pledges help

Anguish, relief, fear, hope: Relief efforts serving thousands of Puerto Rico storm refugees

Republicans should at least give Competitive Workforce Act a hearing, business leaders urge

Bipartisan effort again behind LGBTQ discrimination bill

HD 66 hopeful Berny Jacques hosting campaign kickoff Wednesday

Bipartisan Florida for Puerto Rico legislative effort assembled

David Santiago, Rene Plasencia, Bob Cortes headed for Puerto Rico for talks

Brevard resolution opposing statehood outrages Central Florida Puerto Ricans