Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Marc YachtJuly 8, 2015

Walkin’ Lawton Chiles may be the last of Florida’s governors who cared about Florida through action. He showed genuine concern for local families. During his tenure, necessary human service programs expanded, the environment had effective regulatory programs, public health flourished with strong programs regulating food service, sanitation, infectious disease, and maternal and child health. I […]

Mitch PerryJuly 8, 2015

Earlier this week Politico speculated that the Democrats have a “narrow” path to recapture the U.S. Senate next year, which appears to be a much friendlier year in terms of victories compared with 2014 (when they lost nine seats) or 2018, when they must defend seats in red states like Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia. One […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2015

A couple of weeks ago, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn made his way up to Tallahassee, because, who wouldn’t in late June? Actually Hizzoner was in the state capital to give a speech at the Tallahassee Tiger Bay Club. He also made an appearance on The Usual Suspects, the local public affairs program, where the idea that […]

Diane RobertsJuly 7, 2015

No doubt you’re wondering what new ways Florida’s alleged leaders have found to squander taxpayer money, suck up to the rich and further foul Florida’s environment. Well, prepare to be impressed: The Rick Scott administration is suing the feds for trying to protect rivers and wetlands. I mean, why should water get special rights: Does […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2015

The Hillsborough County Charter Review Board meets again tonight at 6 p.m. at the County Center, where advocates for a several years-long push to expand or change the configuration of the seven-member Board of County Commissioners will have one last chance to persuade the majority that such a change is needed. The odds are stacked against […]

Phil AmmannJuly 7, 2015

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott appointed Myriam Irizarry as the newest judge of the Pinellas County Court. Irizarry, 60, of Palm Harbor, has served as Chief Deputy and General Counsel to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County since 2003. From 1989-2003, she had been Assistant Director of the Clerk of Court Services […]

Melissa RossJuly 6, 2015

This week in Jacksonville, Community Health Outreach will commemorate the 20th anniversary of former NASA Astronaut and Jacksonville resident Norm Thagard’s return from the Russian Mir 18 mission on July 7, 1995. Twenty-eight experiments were conducted in the course of the 115-day flight. The mission culminated in a landing at the Kennedy Space Center in the […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

As part of a run of several new appointees to state boards and agencies, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he has picked retired Florida National Guard Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett for the board that oversees the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The governor’s office noted that Burnett, a 70-year-old resident of St. Augustine, is […]

Ryan RayJuly 2, 2015

Orange County classroom teacher Sean Ashby announced his intention to seek the House District 50 seat in east central Florida to be vacated by Rep. Tom Goodson, who is switching districts. Ashby will face current HD 49 Rep. Rene Plasencia, who has filed for the Republican-leaning seat to avoid being bounced after one term, like his […]

Phil AmmannJuly 2, 2015

BP has agreed to pay a record $18.732 billion to resolve claims by five Gulf states of violating the Clean Water Act, harming natural resources, and other economic damages from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As a part of the agreement announced Thursday, Florida will receive at least $3.25 billion. The overall deal has […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Marc Yacht: Florida takes a slow, sad slide under Rick Scott

NRSC “confident” GOP will keep Florida Senate seat in 2016

In Tallahassee TV appearance, Bob Buckhorn makes case to be governor

Diane Roberts: Top state pols defend Florida’s right to filthy water

Mitch Perry Report for 7.7.15 – Last call for change with Hillsborough County Board size?

Gov. Scott names Myriam Irizarry to the Pinellas County Court

Former Jax NASA astronaut: “A shame we didn’t replace the shuttle program with new vehicle”

Rick Scott appoints Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett to UNF board

Democrat Sean Ashby launches 2016 bid in HD 50 amid House seat-swapping

DEP, FWC respond to record BP settlement, applauds Gulf Coast recovery progress