Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Staff ReportsMarch 25, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott signed a raft of bills into law on Friday, including ones to expand medical marijuana to more patients in need. The bill extends the Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana and also gives assurances to dispensing organizations that have already received a license from the Department of State. Susan Driscoll, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 25, 2016

Nearly six dozen new laws went on the books Friday. Gov. Rick Scott signed 68 bills into law, including ones that clarify when physicians’ assistants can prescribe medication, a bill revising the state’s building codes and a host of local laws. The Naples Republican also vetoed his first bill, which would have created the Gainesville […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 25, 2016

Gainesville won’t get its own regional utility authority. On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a bill (HB 1355) that would have created the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority. The independent governing body would have been tasked with managing and operating Gainesville Regional Utilities, the city-owned utility company. The bill, sponsored by Rep. W. Keith Perry, would […]

Melissa RossMarch 25, 2016

Among the 68 bills Governor Rick Scott just signed into law, perhaps the most attention-getting is HB1411, a bill that “revises regulations for licensed abortion clinics.” The controversial measure imposes new restrictions on clinics where abortions are performed, by requiring that physicians who work at them hold admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The new law also […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

On Friday, Governor Scott signed HB 655 into law, revising alcoholic beverage requirements for restaurants in the Riverside-Avondale Commercial Character Areas. The goal of the bill is to provide allowances for space and seating requirements in a specialized zone called the Riverside Avondale Commercial Character Areas. The bill would reduce requirements to 100 seats (down […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 25, 2016

Relief may be coming. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill (HB 307) that would expand the state’s Right to Try Act to include medical marijuana. The expansion means that terminally ill patients will now be able to use medical marijuana during their final days. Under the bill, which was sponsored by Fleming […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry calls Rick Scott the Jobs Governor. And more evidence of that came through Friday, as Scott trumpeted 20,700 new Jacksonville jobs in the past year. Governor Scott said, “Jacksonville businesses have added 20,700 new jobs and the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.5 percent, which is exciting news for families. Every job created […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Donald Trump. Image via AP.

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

Peter Schorsch: Five big stories in Tallahassee last week

Easter & Passover, as brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Capitol Reax: Medical marijuana, abortion restrictions, IT security, criminal justice

Governor signs 68 bills into law, including ones to help veterans

Rick Scott vetoes bill to create Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gov. Scott signs restrictive abortion measure into law

Gov. Scott signs local bill easing liquor requirements in Riverside-Avondale restaurants

Gov. Scott signs medical marijuana expansion bill into law

Rick Scott says Jacksonville up more than 20,000 jobs in past year