Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 24, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, on Wednesday, signed two bills into law that deal with trade secrets. Both bills were sponsored by Naples Republican Sen. Garrett Richter. SB 180 expands the definition of “trade secret” to expressly include financial information under the definition. And SB 182, a companion bill, protects financial information deemed to be a trade […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2016

At Disney World last week, Gov. Rick Scott said 105 million tourists had made their way to Florida last year, a new state record. Leading the way has been Hillsborough County, which generated more than $26.8 million during the fiscal year that ended last September, up 13 percent over fiscal year 2014, also a record year. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 24, 2016

Day 2 of the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s annual International Days event continued Wednesday, with Consuls General and business liaisons from around the world hearing from top state officials in Tallahassee. In his introductory remarks, Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson relayed a poignant story from a dinner Tuesday night that brought the annual confab into focus. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 24, 2016

After months of intense trench warfare last summer over the formation of a police citizens review board, the board’s 11 members convened for the first time as a group Tuesday night at Tampa City Hall. The group selected North Tampa businessman Rasheed Ali Aquil as chairman, and Irene Guy as vice chairman (Former Judge E.J. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2016

On Monday, Rick Scott said he wasn’t ready to endorse in Florida’s presidential primary election on March 15, but there are those who believe he might be leaning towards Donald Trump. That speculation was sparked last month, when Scott penned an op-ed in USA Today, a column in which he wrote very favorably about the New York City […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 23, 2016

Americans for Prosperity-Florida, a Koch brothers-affiliated group, has at times gotten under the nerves of Florida Republicans with their intense advocacy on issues. It’s taken a tight bead on Gov. Rick Scott‘s $250 million request for Enterprise Florida. Scott claims the agency is underfunded, making it unable to compete with Florida’s strongest competitors for job growth […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 23, 2016

At an event celebrating the Jacksonville office of MacQuarie, which will create 125 jobs by the end of next year, Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Lenny Curry took questions on subjects that were just a bit more contentious than job creation, including the Discretionary Sales Surtax bill making its way through Tallahassee, and the stalled […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 23, 2016

Legislation that the Florida House of Representatives approved last week cures what the U.S. Supreme Court specifically found wrong with Florida’s death penalty, but Rick Scott shouldn’t plan on signing any more death warrants soon, if ever. Six large questions linger. Will the Supreme Court uphold it? The court did not say, in “Hurst v. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 22, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency and authorized the release of state money in the wake of severe tornado damage in the Escambia County city of Century last week. Wind gusts of over 150 miles per hour tore through the Panhandle town, causing severe damage to numerous houses and buildings. Scott, in issuing Executive Order […]

William MarchFebruary 21, 2016

A proposal to remove a statue of a Confederate leader at the National Statuary Hall is generating speculation among Florida legislators about whose image should replace it. Legislation to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith doesn’t propose a successor. Smith’s place in history is due to his being the last officer to surrender […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Gov. Scott signs 2 trade secret bills into law

Tourism officials remain concerned about proposal to divert bed taxes

Florida Chamber’s International Days continue with talks from high-level state officials

Mitch Perry Report for 2.24.16 — Tampa citizens review board finally convenes

Rick Scott floated as potential running mate for Donald Trump

Enterprise Florida’s Bill Johnson unloads on AFP-Florida over anti-incentives ads

Lenny Curry, Rick Scott talk pension tax, HRO, 2016 election

Martin Dyckman: Lingering questions should end death penalty in Florida

Rick Scott declares state of emergency, pledges funds after Escambia tornado damage

Legislators speculate on great Floridian for Capitol statue