Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 15, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott declared his plan to lay waste to nearly 300 projects amounting to some $256 million with a preemptive announcement on Tuesday. Among the roughly $82 billion in funding items left standing: a controversial appropriation of $7 million to refresh the state’s stock of radio equipment for state law enforcement agents. The radio money making the cut […]

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2016

Republican candidate Lange Sykes boosted his lead in the three-way primary race for House District 54 with more than $7,000 in February contributions. “Our community is looking for a strong conservative message from a candidate who creates jobs and has signed both sides of a paycheck,” Sykes said Monday. “The House District 54 seat belongs […]

Drew WilsonMarch 14, 2016

Brian Hodgers increased his lead over the other three Republicans running for House District 52 with $6,750 in contributions last month. “Our conservative message is hitting a nerve in our community, and I’m very grateful for the folks who want to be part of our campaign,” Hodgers said in a news release. “I look forward […]

Peter SchorschMarch 1, 2016

What do you do when you are asked to carry the water for a colleague running for the Florida Senate, who is looking to curry favor with a large business in his district by requesting funding for a line item nobody asked for, the state doesn’t need, and the Senate vehemently opposes? You do what […]

Ryan RayFebruary 28, 2016

An obscure but heated battle over a state contract potentially worth hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money is at stake as budget conferees continue to hammer out differences between House and Senate proposals. At issues is the radio equipment law enforcement agents use to communicate. Problems with communication gear have led to the deaths of several […]

William MarchFebruary 8, 2016

Big changes could be in store for couples who divorce under legislation now being considered by Florida lawmakers. Measures to end permanent alimony and to push judges toward granting 50-50 time-sharing custody between parents are generating emotional arguments in legislative committee hearings. An alimony reform bill passed its second committee in the House last week, […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Coming off a blockbuster December, Build Something that Lasts (the Lenny Curry PAC) spent more than it took in during January. About $15,000 was raised in January, compared with almost $31,000 spent. The notable donor of January: Elite Parking Services, the company of Dane Grey, one of two Jacksonville residents lauded in the State of the State address. Grey, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives’ top lawyer cleared a member of its leadership team of any conflict of interest because he moonlights as an Uber driver. In a Jan. 26 memo, General Counsel Matthew Carson told Rules Committee chairman Ritch Workman, “It is my opinion that there is no prohibited conflict related to you regarding […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 26, 2016

After a handful of amendments, an omnibus ethics bill unanimously passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon. LobbyTools reports that HB 593 will create a host of new mandates and requirements to help prevent fraud and waste in state government The strike-all amendment approved by the committee was similar to the original bill, only adding text […]

Associated PressJanuary 17, 2016

A major ethics and anti-corruption bill that advocates say is long overdue – but critics say may go too far – faces a rocky path in the Legislature. The legislation seeks to end what a 2010 grand jury called a “corruption tax” on Florida citizens amounting to millions a year in extra taxes, government fees […]

Tag: Ritch Workman

State police radios funds spared from veto list

Republican Lange Sykes boosts lead in 3-way HD 54 primary

Brian Hodgers widens fundraising lead in HD 52 race

Jeanette Núñez’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, budget conference

State police radio replacement dispute becomes budget conference sticking point

Lawmakers consider controversial alimony, custody changes

Strategic January spending for Lenny Curry PAC

House lawyer clears Ritch Workman of Uber conflict

Broad ethics bill unanimously passes first House stop

Anti-corruption bill faces rocky path in Legislature