Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2016

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After the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, more than 20 state legislatures reacted by passing religious freedom laws to protect clergy. This month, Florida became the latest state to do so after Gov. Rick Scott signed the Pastor Protection Act. The new law shields religious entities […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 21, 2016

Kim McDougal is no stranger to Tallahassee. She’s spent years in the capital city, working for governors, the Legislature and the Department of Education. She’s been described as a policy wonk fiercely loyal to Gov. Rick Scott. And, after nearly 30 years in state government, she can add chief of staff to her long list […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 21, 2016

The Republican Party of Sarasota County is looking in its own backyard for its 2016 Statesman of the Year. The Sarasota GOP has named Gov. Rick Scott as it’s 2016 honoree. The annual event is scheduled for April 21 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, beginning at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception and exclusive photo opportunities. This is the […]

Peter SchorschMarch 21, 2016

I was not sure if today was state Sen. Jack Latvala’s birthday, so I double-checked the list of lawmakers birthdays furnished by LobbyTools. Nope, today is definitely not the senior Latvala’s birthday. It’s Nov. 3. Still … If you had told Sen. Latvala last year that come the first day of spring he would be: on […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 18, 2016

On Friday, the state Inspector General sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott outlining serious concerns about how the North Broward Hospital Board has functioned during her investigation of the board’s contracts from 2012 to the present. The worry: “possible improprieties” or “inappropriate actions,” including violations of charter or law. The IG asked that David DiPietro and Darryl […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 18, 2016

The governor may have already signed the budget, but that isn’t stopping Florida TaxWatch from looking for turkeys. Joe Follick, a spokesman for Florida TaxWatch, said the private, nonprofit organization still plans to release a 2016 turkey list. The organization will be in a similar position to 2015, when it issued its report days after […]

Ryan RayMarch 17, 2016

Republican Gov. Rick Scott made it official Thursday night, formally signing the $82.3 million budget presented to him earlier in the day by state lawmakers. He also made official his list of line-item vetoes announced Tuesday, excising about $256 million in member-sponsored funding from the budget he enacted into law. “I will be signing this budget into law […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 17, 2016

The budget is official in Gov. Rick Scott’s hands. The Legislature sent Scott the budget — and four other related bills — on Thursday. The Naples Republican now has until April 1 to act. The Legislature overwhelmingly approved the $82.3 billion spending plan on Friday. The proposed budget includes $20.2 billion for K-12 public school […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 17, 2016

On the campaign trail, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said the city wasn’t getting what it deserved from Tallahassee. In the 2016 Legislative Session, Curry delivered. He made frequent trips out west to lobby lawmakers and the Governor regarding the pension tax and other local priorities. And he enlisted Marty Fiorentino to helm a concerted lobbying […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 17, 2016

Relief could be coming for some South Florida small businesses impacted by the Lake Okeechobee discharges. On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for more than 100 businesses affected by the releases. The move comes after theFlorida Department of Economic Opportunity conducted a survey to assess the economic damages […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Florida’s Pastor Protection Act doesn’t go as far as Georgia’s — and that’s a good thing for NFL fans

Capitol veteran Kim McDougal selected as Rick Scott’s next chief of staff

Rick Scott to be honored as Sarasota GOP’s 2016 Statesman of the Year

It’s not Jack Latvala’s birthday!

North Broward Hospital District board chairman, committee chairman suspended

Gobble, gobble: Florida TaxWatch still planning to release 2016 budget turkey list

Rick Scott signs budget, officially issues $256 million in spending vetoes

Legislature sends $82.3 billion budget to Rick Scott

Lenny Curry, other Jax pols, trumpet 2016 budget as what “winning looks like”

Rick Scott activates emergency loan program for small businesses impacted by Lake O discharges