Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 19, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has long positioned Florida as a formidable foe to Texas when it comes to job creation. For years, he has pushed his “jobs, jobs, jobs” agenda by holding up the Lone Star State as a model for Florida to emulate. But a new measure making its way through the Legislature should help […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 18, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott used a stop in Southwest Florida to whip up support for his $1 billion tax cut proposal and $250 million Enterprise Florida fund. “Three years ago, we cut the sales tax, for only three years, unfortunately, for machinery equipment. We need to make that permanent,” said Scott during a stop at Arthrex […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2016

Florida TaxWatch trumpeted the release of a new report Thursday morning, in which the conservative watchdog group endorsed plans to keep tax dollars flowing to economic incentives along the lines of those favored by Gov. Rick Scott, including $250 million Scott has requested for a dedicated fund for Enterprise Florida business recruitment efforts. The report titled “A […]

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

The heads of 10 Florida state agencies will keep their jobs. The Florida Senate voted Thursday to confirm top officials appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. They also confirmed Rick Swearingen who was appointed the head of Florida’s law-enforcement agency by Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet. The vote was important because state law would […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

A measure sponsored by Palm Harbor Republican Rep. Chris Sprowls to provide more transparency about health care costs advanced in the House Health & Human Services Committee on Wednesday. Sprowls said that among the provisions in the bill (HB 1175) would include allowing access for patients to learn about specific cost assessments that hospitals charge, as […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

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

William Mattox: Legislators should let high-school athletes attend school of their choice

Rick Scott tells Southwest Floridians to urge lawmakers to support tax cuts

Florida TaxWatch backs Enterprise Florida fund, economic incentives

Florida Senate confirms 10 agency heads appointed by Rick Scott

Transparency, telehealth bills advance in House committee