Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2017

This Legislative Session was a tumultuous one, with several lawmakers holding to their convictions, refusing to negotiate, but in the end, compromise prevailed. Thankfully, in the final hours of the Special Session, legislative leaders realized the unparalleled value of tourism to our state’s overall economy. By allocating $76 million of funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 30, 2017

It remains to be seen what pull Gwen Graham has with Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who finally has a “partner in the White House” in President Donald Trump. However, when it comes to witholding Florida voter data from what she sees as a sham investigation into “non-existent” voter fraud, the Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate wants Scott to just say […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 28, 2017

Sen. Jack Latvala didn’t use an appearance at the Tiger Bay Club of Southwest Florida to announce a 2018 gubernatorial bid. Then again, he didn’t use it to quash any rumors about his plans for the future. “We have several members of the press here today, so if I was to specifically make an announcement, […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2017

Among the five bills Gov. Rick Scott vetoed Tuesday was one that would have weakened Florida’s Agency for State Technology. Scott’s veto earned some praise from Jeremy Ring, the former Yahoo executive and state senator who is running for Chief Financial Officer in 2018. “For ten years, I worked to ensure that IT infrastructure was fortified and all sensitive data […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2017

He wasn’t on the dais, but Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s policies and public comments were front-and-center when a panel of Pinellas lawmakers spoke Wednesday in Clearwater about the recently concluded legislative session. Dubbed “the most interesting man in Tallahassee” in a recent Miami Herald profile, the 52-year-old Land O’Lakes Republican came into leadership last […]

Associated PressJune 28, 2017

Does Florida’s governor have the power to take away a prosecutor’s case if he disagrees with a decision not to seek the death penalty? The state’s highest court will hear arguments Wednesday over that question in a legal fight between Gov. Rick Scott and State Attorney Aramis Ayala, whose district covers the Orlando area. Their […]

Scott PowersJune 27, 2017

With its full state funding finally secured, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors approved a $76 million marketing plan for 2017-’18 that pours far more of the state money into core marketing programs than before, all but eliminates sponsorships, and pares down administrative costs backed by the state money. In a conference call meeting Tuesday, the […]

Mitch PerryJune 26, 2017

Rick Scott heads to Washington D.C. this week, ostensibly to meet with members of the Florida GOP congressional delegation regarding the health care bill unveiled last Thursday by Senate Republicans. What Scott thinks of the bill, or what changes he believes are warranted, remains a mystery. “I want to thank President Trump; he’s absolutely committed […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott made it official Monday, formally announcing former state Rep. Jimmy Patronis will serve as the state’s next Chief Financial Officer. The announcement, which occurred at Patronis’ family restaurant in Panama City, puts an end to months of speculation about who would replace outgoing CFO Jeff Atwater, who is leaving June 30 for […]

Associated PressJune 26, 2017

Half of Florida’s legislators failed or nearly failed in a review of their support for public records and meetings given by Florida newspapers and an open-government group after this year’s legislative sessions. In a “scorecard” produced by the Florida Society of News Editors and based on information provided by Florida’s First Amendment Foundation — which tracked a priority list of […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Image via X (Duke Energy).

Carol Dover: Thank you, Florida leaders, for your hospitality

Gwen Graham to Rick Scott: Keep voter data out of Donald Trump’s hands

Jack Latvala: ‘It is very possible I end up announcing something in the near future’

Jeremy Ring praises Rick Scott for vetoing bill gutting Florida’s state tech agency

Richard Corcoran’s agenda and style get bashed (and sometimes praised) by panel of Pinellas lawmakers

Rick Scott, Aramis Ayala fight heads to state high court

VISIT FLORIDA board approves $76 million marketing plan, but questions overall goal

Rick Scott heads to D.C. to lobby for ‘Florida interests’ in health care bill, avoids specifics

It’s official: Jimmy Patronis appointed as next CFO

On open records, half Florida’s legislators rate F or D