Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 29, 2016

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For decades, aspiring restaurateurs in Tampa and Hillsborough County have had to contend with regulations unlike those in any other part of Florida. State law requires that any restaurant that serves alcohol must be at least 2,500 square feet in size. However, in Hillsborough County, state law dictated that restaurants that sell booze must be at least 4,000 square feet. No longer. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2016

At the start of the year, I made 12 predictions for 2016 in Jacksonville politics. A fourth of the way through, revisiting them is useful. Some I got right. Some I got wrong. Some are still in progress. Predictions 1 and 2 revolved around the Human Rights Ordinance expansion, which was the issue du jour. […]

Peter SchorschMarch 29, 2016

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Mike Prendergast, Gov. Rick Scott‘s first chief of staff who moved on to become head of the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs, is stepping down to run for Citrus County Sheriff. He formally announced his plans at Tuesday’s Florida Cabinet meeting. The announcement also was in a news release first shared with FloridaPolitics.com. Prendergast will run […]

Associated PressMarch 28, 2016

Florida health regulators are dropping their push to fine three clinics operated by Planned Parenthood. Court documents show the Agency for Health Care Administration last Friday asked an administrative judge to dismiss complaints filed last year against clinics located in St. Petersburg, Naples and Fort Myers. The state contended the clinics had performed second-trimester abortions […]

Associated PressMarch 28, 2016

Florida’s former lottery secretary, who abruptly resigned last year, has landed a new job with the help of Gov. Rick Scott‘s administration. Cynthia O’Connell began work last week as the director of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, where she will be responsible for raising money for scholarships that are handed out by the organization. O’Connell […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2016

The head of the state’s public-private economic development organization is stepping down. On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott announced that Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson is leaving the organization. “Bill has traveled the globe to let businesses know that Florida is the top destination in the world for jobs,” Scott said in a prepared statement Monday. […]

Drew WilsonMarch 28, 2016

Extended warranty company SquareTrade will add 60 jobs and make more than $500,000 in investments in the Orlando area as part of an economic incentives deal with the state, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday. “SquareTrade’s decision to expand and grow in Orlando is tremendous news for all Floridians. This growth demonstrates that cutting taxes and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2016

Being a descendant of Cuban exiles, it’s no surprise that Carlos Lopez-Cantera takes a dim view of President Barack Obama’s rapprochement with the Raul Castro-led government. “They’ve figured out our political system. They’ve seen how our political system works,” the Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate said in a speech at the Tampa Economic Club on Monday. […]

Peter SchorschMarch 27, 2016

Another year passes, and another Rick Scott Chief of Staff is out the door. The Governor’s office announced last week that Kim McDougal will succeed Melissa Sellers in the top staff position, making McDougal Scott’s fifth CoS in six years. Which makes us wonder: Where are they now? Mike Prendergast, a retired Army colonel, moved over to become Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2016

Easter – like the 2016 Legislative Session – came early this year. Feels weird to have it be all over in March, right? The moveable feast dates back to the mid-2nd century A.D. on the Christian calendar and celebrates a redemption and rebirth that Capitol-going advocates of some issues – say, Transportation Network Companies legislation or campus carry – will […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Image via the Associated Press.

New law brings Hillsborough County in line with rest of Florida regarding restaurant size to sell alcohol

A.G. Gancarski: So far, so good on 2016 predictions

Rick Scott’s veterans’ agency head Mike Prendergast to run for Citrus County Sheriff

Florida drops complaints against abortion clinics

Former Lottery secretary lands new job with help from Rick Scott

Enterprise Florida CEO Bill Johnson stepping down

SquareTrade expansion to add 60 jobs, $500K investment in Orlando

Carlos Lopez-Cantera says Cuban government taking advantage of U.S.

Peter Schorsch: Five big stories in Tallahassee last week

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