Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 26, 2015

It’s no secret that Florida Office of Insurance Regulation chief Kevin McCarty has been in the Rick Scott administration’s crosshairs for some time; we first reported earlier this month that McCarty was on the chopping block as part of a proposed deal with Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater to bring in new leaders at OIR […]

James CallJanuary 22, 2015

State Florida’s economy will produce an extra billion dollars for state budget writers but the state’s chief economist says the windfall is just slightly ahead of growing expenses. Twice in the past six months state economists have adjusted their revenue forecast for next year by hundreds of millions of dollars. And although that produced a […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 22, 2015

With a governor as jobs- and business-focused as Rick Scott, it’s no surprise the state spends a significant amount of time calculating the return on investment (ROI) provided by many state programs. Some may not provide a worthwhile return on investment, but two exceptional programs have managed to triple – even quintuple – the value […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 22, 2015

More fallout from the battle for the Florida GOP leadership: Gov. Rick Scott took back $580,000 from the Republican Party of Florida. RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher, endorsed by Scott, lost to newly elected state Rep. Blaise Ingoglia during the RPOF annual meeting in Orlando last Saturday. As the vote approached, Naples Daily News political reporter […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2015

It’s been almost impossible to go to any public event in Tampa over the past year when you haven’t heard Bob Buckhorn, Sandy Murman or Tampa/Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. CEO Rick Homans crow about how bad ass Tampa/Hillsborough is doing these days on the economic front. Whether it’s the airport, the port, the EDC, the […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 22, 2015

College students could be getting a break on the cost of their textbooks. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday will ask legislators to exempt textbooks from state and local sales taxes. The Scott administration estimates the tax break could save a fulltime student as much as $60 a year. The tax break is expected to […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 21, 2015

Today, nonpartisan government watchdog group Integrity Florida called on federal authorities to investigate potential violations of the civil rights conspiracy statute by state government officials in Florida. According to a recent Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald report, former Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey alleged that Gov. Rick Scott and his top advisers conspired to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

As more calls for an independent investigation regarding the sacking of former FDLE chief Gerald Bailey grow, Rick Scott tried to stay on message today during an appearance in Tampa. After making an announcement regarding new funding for STEM education at Chromalloy, a global technology company located in Tampa’s Sabal Park just east from the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

With revenues finally pouring into state coffers after the lengthy recession and its hangover, Gov. Rick Scott made frequent appearances in the Tampa Bay area in 2014, often promoting tax-cut plans or new government spending on education, transportation or the environment. Critics alleged the largesse was due to his trying to curry favor with the […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 21, 2015

As I meet with dozens of Florida lawmakers, legislative staffers, and lobbyists in Tallahassee, inevitably the question is raised, “What is going on over there?” There being the Governor’s Office and its inexplicable courses of action as it struggles through the start of Rick Scott’s second term. What I say to these politicos is, […]

Tag: Rick Scott

Scott administration asked to interview new candidate for Insurance Commissioner — weeks before proposing "new leadership" at OIR

State on track for billion-dollar budget windfall but will have little money for new spending

Report: Investments in Florida Sports Foundation, VISIT Florida worth the money

Rick Scott takes back $580K from state GOP

Mitch Perry Report for 1.22.15 – Hillsborough loses some of its swagger

Rick Scott wants to stop taxing college textbooks

Integrity Florida calls for federal investigation into Baileygate

In Tampa, Rick Scott feels the heat as the Gerald Bailey controversy grows

Rick Scott pledges $1 million to STEM teachers for summer intern program

Say what? Rick Scott responds to Cabinet concerns about ousting FDLE commish with request to guillotine agency heads