Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

Tallahassee – WWGGD? Okay, nobody is saying that, but let me pose the question that Florida Democrat will begin talking about more frequently as the year progresses – What Will Gwen Graham Do? The North Florida Congresswoman told reporters at a news conference in Tallahassee yesterday that she still has not decided if she’ll run […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

A series of rewrites to Florida’s economic-incentive programs, a chief priority of Gov. Rick Scott, passed its first House panel Tuesday afternoon. Lobby Tools reports that HB 1325, from Bradenton Republican Rep. Jim Boyd, seeks to establish a new Florida Enterprise Fund, as well as changes in the process of administering economic incentives for businesses […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2016

With the state’s citrus industry in free-fall, Florida’s leading growers are calling for the Department of Citrus to “be scaled back considerably,” saying they “do not believe current marketing programs are generating an economic return.” A dozen growers, including Florida Citrus Hall of Famer Ben Hill Griffin III, signed and sent a letter Monday to Florida Citrus Commission […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Senate Health Policy Committee today will decide Dr. John Armstrong’s fate as a group of bipartisan senators confront Florida’s surgeon general with tough questions that include his absent leadership on HIV/AIDS. Florida leads the nation with the highest rate of new HIV infections. Like that of President Ronald Reagan’s shameful legacy of refusing […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 16, 2016

Adam Putnam was met by a crowd of angry Treasure Coast residents during a stop in Martin County last week. Putnam, the state’s agriculture commissioner, was greeted by protesters calling on the state and the Army Corps of Engineers to stop discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee River. In […]

Scott PowersFebruary 16, 2016

Orlando’s theme park behemoths – mostly Walt Disney companies – have already poured $2.77 million into campaign and political committees and parties for this election cycle so far, preferring Republicans by almost 3 to 1 over Democrats. Disney, as usual, leads the way, with a combination of cash and in-kind services (typically providing tickets or […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 15, 2016

Sunday was Valentine’s Day. And what did those sweethearts in the Legislature give to the ladies of Florida? A swift kick in the ovaries. Rep. Charles Van Zant’s HB 865 would shut down all abortion clinics, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and make abortion a felony. Zygotes are citizens, too. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2016

With much of the nation embroiled in the 2016 presidential campaign, it’s almost understandable that some things in Florida have escaped widespread notice. For those of paying attention, however, they have no doubt been aware of the release of excess water from Lake Okeechobee, a result of historically high El Niño rainfall in South Florida. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2016

On Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott directed the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds to honor the memory of United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment. “I […]

Associated PressFebruary 12, 2016

The hospital where a black woman died after she was forcibly removed from the emergency room by a white police officer was cited for 10 “deficiencies,” including failing to properly exam the woman when she complained of difficulty breathing, state health officials said. The secretary for Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration said the problems […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Mitch Perry Report for 2.17.16 – What will Gwen Graham do?

House committee OK’s rewrite of state economic incentive program

State’s growers call for dramatic overhaul of Florida Department of Citrus

Michael Emanuel Rajner: Senate must reject Dr. John Armstrong, demand leadership on HIV/AIDS

Angry protesters demand that Adam Putnam put stop to Lake Okeechobee releases

Orlando’s theme park companies pour at least $2.77 million into state politics

Diane Roberts: Legislators celebrate Valentine’s Day by working to limit women’s options

Beyond the pale: Enviro activist calls for “death of thousands” in Lake O discharge controversy

Rick Scott orders flags at half-staff in Antonin Scalia’s memory

Hospital where woman in custody died cited for deficiencies