Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2016

The Florida Department of Citrus could get a pared-down budget that will result in staff cuts. The Citrus Commission, which oversees the department, meets Wednesday to consider the $20.6 million spending plan. If approved, the department’s full-time employees would be reduced to 23 from 39. Commissioners won’t vote on that budget, but will offer “feedback,” department spokeswoman Shelley Rossetter said. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

She’s official. Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced he appointed Dr. Celeste Philip as the state’s Surgeon General and head of the Florida Department of Health. The longtime Department of Health official has served as the Acting Surgeon General since March. “Since becoming Acting Surgeon General this spring, Dr. Philip has met with community health […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 16, 2016

Millions of people traveled to the Sunshine State in the first three months of 2016, according to first-quarter tourism estimates released Monday. Approximately 29.8 million tourists came to Florida in the first quarter. That’s up 6.6 percent from the same three-month period in 2015. “I’m thrilled that Florida continues to break records in the amount […]

Peter SchorschMay 15, 2016

As he gets ready to “go home,” as departing legislators like to say, outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner has no regrets or hard feelings. He did have choice words regarding lobbyists for gambling concerns, however: They “just get greedy.” Gardiner, an opponent of gambling expansion, recently sat down with Capital Correspondent Jim Rosica for an “exit interview.” He leaves office later this […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 12, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott is calling on federal officials to help Florida prepare for the spread of Zika. Scott met with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell on Wednesday morning. In a statement after the meeting, Scott said he met with Burwell to “relay requests that state agencies need from the federal government.” Those requests, […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2016

So, Go Hillsborough is somehow still alive? Though they haven’t set a date yet, apparently there will be another public hearing on putting a sales tax referendum on the ballot this November. On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to support a half-cent sales tax for 15 years, and not the 30-year plan shot down […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

Rick Scott is headed to the Bayou State. Scott announced Wednesday he plans to embark on an economic trade mission to Louisiana this summer. He made the announcement during the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meeting. “I’ll be going to Louisiana this summer to get jobs,” he said. “I think we have good opportunities.” The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

Carlos Beruff is calling on federal lawmakers to step up their efforts to help stop the spread of the Zika virus. In a statement Wednesday, the Republican U.S. Senate hopeful said: “protecting our citizens is the primary role of the federal government.” And while he said the government often spends too much money, preventing the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

In one of his final meetings, Bill Johnson encouraged the business community to keep doing what it can to attract companies to the Sunshine State. “I traveled about 30,000 miles in the last year or so and I’ve been in almost every single county in the state,” said Johnson, the departing head of Enterprise Florida. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 11, 2016

Major changes could be coming to Enterprise Florida. A review of the state’s public-private economic development agency found it could save $6 million through a series of cuts, including slashing 27 positions and reducing operating costs. Gov. Rick Scott in March ordered a review of the state’s public-private economic development organization. The Naples Republican tapped […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Citrus Department facing smaller budget, staff cuts

Rick Scott appoints Celeste Philip as Florida’s surgeon general

Nearly 30 million people visited Florida in first three months of 2016

Peter Schorsch: From the ‘gambling boys’ to (un)popularity contests

Rick Scott calls on HHS to send 5,000 Zika preparedness kits to Florida

Mitch Perry Report for 5.12.16 — The proposed tax that will not go away

Bayou bound: Rick Scott to travel to Louisiana for job hunting trip this summer

Carlos Beruff calls on federal government to ‘act immediately’ to fight Zika

Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson: ‘Public-private partnerships play an important role in how we sell Florida’

Enterprise Florida could save $6M through a series of cuts, reorganization