Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 11, 2015

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill has filed legislation to further drop the state tax on cellphone service and cable and satellite television. The Port Orange Republican filed her bill (SB 256) on Friday morning. Her bill would cut the “communication services tax,” or CST, another 2 percent to 2.92 percent, and the separate rate on direct-to-home satellite service […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 11, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott released a brief statement Friday saying news of a terrorist group sympathizer being from Florida was “infuriating.” Scott’s office said Joshua Ryne Goldberg of Orange Park was charged with “attempting to plant a bomb at a September 11th memorial ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri this weekend.” According to Fox News and CBS, Goldberg presented […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 10, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott, in a precedent-setting move, became the first sitting governor in history successfully sued for violating Florida’s public records laws. In Bill Day’s latest, Floridians are now on the hook for at least $700,000. Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews first filed a lawsuit against Scott in 2012 over violating a contract for the purchase […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 10, 2015

State Sen. Tom Lee won’t give up on trying to amend Florida law on alimony and child custody. On Thursday, Lee filed a bill (SB 250) to change the way divorces are handled in state courts. It marks at least the third time since 2013 that Lee, a Brandon Republican, has supported such an overhaul […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 10, 2015

Editor’s note: This post was updated to reflect that the Judicial Nominating Commission has yet to finalize the short list of names it will send to the governor for consideration. Alan Abramowitz, head of the state’s child-advocate program, also has been a prosecutor and a public defender in Florida’s courts. Now he wants to add “judge” […]

Frank TorresSeptember 9, 2015

In spite of a tough upbringing in a poor family, education helped Gov. Rick Scott get ahead, he told state leaders Wednesday morning at an Orlando education summit hosted by Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. The governor next reviewed his educational platform for the audience at the Omni Orlando Resort, connecting it to Florida’s job growth. “If we […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

Bluegrass State, beware: Florida Gov. Rick Scott is coming for you next. Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development organization, on Wednesday released a radio spot to air on Kentucky stations, cajoling businesses to move to Florida. The ad is in advance of Scott’s “economic development trade mission” to Kentucky later this month, according to a press release. Scott said […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott‘s environmental policy coordinator has been hired to run the Suwannee River Water Management District, the district announced in a press release. Noah Valenstein will take over as executive director for the Live Oak-based agency, which manages water resources in 15 counties in north central Florida. Valenstein also attended the meeting last August in which Scott listened […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 9, 2015

In a Tuesday news release, Gov. Rick Scott proclaimed September “Workforce Development Month,” patting the state’s economic development and employment agencies on the back. “The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and CareerSource Florida are committed to workforce training and providing employment assistance to the 9.5 million individuals who make up Florida’s labor force,” the announcement said. “People […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2015

If you’re keeping track of time, there is B.T. and A.T.: Before Trump and After Trump. At the beginning of summer, there were (at least) 10 big questions facing Florida politics. But those questions, particularly the ones involving the myriad of presidential candidates hailing from the Sunshine State, are so B.T. On June 16, Donald Trump entered the […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Dorothy Hukill wants further cut to state cellphone tax

Rick Scott “infuriated” by Florida tie to terrorist group

Bill Day’s latest: Rick Scott’s lawsuits put Floridians on the hook

Tom Lee will try again to overhaul alimony, custody laws

Alan Abramowitz among applicants for circuit judge

Rick Scott talks education at DOE summit in Orlando

Radio ad precedes Rick Scott Kentucky visit

Rick Scott’s environmental advisor tapped as water district head

Gov. Scott proclaims “Workforce Development Month” amid employment gains

Peter Schorsch: Answers to top 10 big questions in Florida politics lurch into view