Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonMay 24, 2018

Gunster Yoakley & Stewart brought in up to $750,000 in lobbying fees during the first quarter of 2018 according to recently filed compensation reports. Lobby firms report their compensation in covering $10,000 increments up to $50,000. Using the median numbers for each client on the roster would place Gunster Yoakley & Stewart’s Q1 haul at […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 28, 2018

A raft of House bills related to alcoholic beverages, including one dealing with booze-delivery apps, were discussed Wednesday and set up for votes. Among them, one (HB 667) would expressly allow Floridians to use a smartphone app to order alcoholic beverages for home delivery. It’s supported by Uber, among others. Delivery through apps such as Drizly and Shipt is […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

A trio of alcoholic beverage-related bills moved through a House panel Tuesday: — Beer advertisements in theme parks would be allowed under a bill approved by the Careers and Competition Subcommittee. That measure (HB 669) was approved 13-2, with chair Halsey Beshears, a Monticello Republican, and Rep. Larry Ahern, a Seminole Republican, casting ‘no’ votes. […]

Terry RoenNovember 29, 2016

Bioluminescence, the sparkly glow that lights up the ocean and local rivers, is coming to a theme park near you. Both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld have unveiled plans to use technology to create nature’s glittery display. Walt Disney World will offer a ride down a river in a bioluminescent rain forest called the Na’vi […]

Larry GriffinOctober 26, 2016

Senate President Andy Gardiner appeared in downtown Orlando Wednesday to promote the launch of the new Florida Unique Abilities partnership, an initiative that businesses can join to support hiring those with disabilities. Gardiner and business leaders representing AT&T, Walgreens, and SeaWorld, appeared at the Canvs building on Garland Avenue to talk up the program, saying it would […]

Associated PressOctober 7, 2016

Hurricane Matthew sideswiped Florida’s Atlantic coast early Friday, toppling trees onto homes and knocking out power to more than 800,000 people but sparing the most heavily populated stretch of shoreline the catastrophic blow many had feared. Authorities warned that the danger was far from over, with hundreds of miles of coastline in Florida, Georgia and […]

Associated PressOctober 7, 2016

Hurricane Matthew scraped Florida’s Atlantic coast early Friday, toppling trees onto homes and knocking out power to a half-million people but sparing some of the most heavily populated stretches of shoreline the catastrophic blow many had feared. Authorities warned that the danger was far from over, with hundreds of miles of coastline in Florida, Georgia […]

Associated PressOctober 6, 2016

Voldemort couldn’t stop Harry Potter, but Matthew did. Three of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, Universal Studios (home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Walt Disney World and SeaWorld all made a rare decision to close their theme parks Thursday ahead of Hurricane Matthew’s arrival. Soggy tourists rushed to cram in a few […]

Scott PowersAugust 22, 2016

The entry-bell surge of political action committee money into new Democratic nominee Stephanie Murphy‘s campaign fund has triggered a similar rush of PAC money into the war chest of Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. John Mica in the Winter Park-based Florida’s 7th Congressional District. National Democrats signaled they’re taking Murphy’s candidacy seriously, compared with those of […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2016

The startling news that SeaWorld will stop breeding its captive orca whales and will phase out theatrical orca shows in favor of exhibits highlighting whales’ natural behaviors is an indicator of a broader trend in society. SeaWorld realized that making orcas do tricks in small concrete pools is no longer a sustainable business model. The company […]

Tag: SeaWorld

Gunster Yoakley & Stewart earns up to $750K in Q1

Bottoms up: Bevy of booze bills ready for vote in House

Bottoms up: Booze bills moving in House

Theme parks mimic nature’s bioluminescent glow

Andy Gardiner, business leaders launch Florida Unique Abilities program to help disabled find work

‘This is not over’: Hurricane sideswipes Florida coast

Hurricane Matthew spares South Florida, pushes north

For tourists, storm is Hurricane Who Shall Not Be Named

PACs gearing up for John Mica-Stephanie Murphy in CD 7

Wayne Pacelle: Florida’s politicians need to embrace ‘humane economy’