Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 17, 2016

Add another $300,000 to Consumers for Smart Solar’s coffers. State records show Consumers for Smart Solar, the group backing the solar power amendment, raised $300,000 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7. Records show the committee received two contributions for $150,000 each from the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy and the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 7, 2016

Consumers for Smart Solar is continuing to spend big on advertising, dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars on direct mail in the last week of September. Records show the group behind the solar power ballot initiative spent $311,085 between Sept. 24 and Sept. 30. That sum includes $208,422 to an Orlando-based firm for a direct mail […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 3, 2016

The group backing the solar power amendment spent more than $760,000 in one week. State records show Consumers for Smart Solar spent $761,758 between Sept. 17 and Sept. 23, the most recent campaign finance reporting period. Records show the organization spent $507,400 on advertising and $202,349 on direct mail during the one-week reporting period. Consumers […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 26, 2016

A solar power amendment is poised for passage, according to a new poll by the Florida Chamber Political Institute. The survey found 66 percent of Florida voters would support solar power initiative, while 16 percent of respondents said they would vote against it. “The Florida Chamber supports the solar energy policies in Amendment 1 and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 19, 2016

The push to vote “Yes on 1” is underway. Mailers from Consumers for Smart Solar are hitting Floridians’ mailboxes, encouraging them to support the solar initiative. The mailers call the proposal a “straightforward plan that encourages solar.” The amendment is backed by the state’s major electric companies, and outlines the rules for solar power in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 19, 2016

The cost of installing rooftop solar systems is at a record low due in part to government and utility incentives, according to a new report. The report, commissioned by the Consumer Energy Alliance, found incentives have significantly reduced the residential customers’ costs of installing rooftop solar systems. Michael Whatley, executive vice president of the Consumer […]

Mitch PerryAugust 30, 2016

A constitutional amendment intended to expand the use of solar power in Florida has passed. The measure is winning statewide by a huge 73 percent to 27 percent margin. The measure needed 60 percent to win. Amendment 4 exempts solar devices and equipment from being subject to the personal tangible property tax. A business that currently has solar […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 26, 2016

Contributions to Consumers for Smart Solar fizzled out in July. State records show the fundraising committee — which is backing the solar-energy ballot initiative — received no contributions between July 2 and July 15. The two-week period marks the two most recent fundraising periods. The group has raised more than $16 million since July 2015. […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

Wednesday marks the beginning of “the official digital launch of the summer education campaign” of a proposed constitutional amendment on solar power. Florida for Solar, Inc., championed by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, and Floridians 4 Lower Energy Costs are joining forces to get “Amendment 4” passed on the Aug. 30 primary ballot. “Both organizations will be working together […]

Jim RosicaApril 7, 2016

The nonprofit entity created to promote a legislatively proposed constitutional amendment on solar power announced its team members in a Thursday news release. Florida for Solar Inc. is a 501(c)(4) organization under federal tax law, meaning its purpose is “civic betterment and social improvements.” It “may further its purposes through lobbying” and “may engage in some political […]

Tag: Solar power
Elizabeth Martinez Strauss. Image via campaign.

Consumers for Smart Solar raises $300K during first week of October

Consumers for Smart Solar raises $75K in one week

Consumers for Smart Solar spends more than $500K on advertising in one week

Solar amendment supported by 66% of Floridians, new poll finds

Direct mail round up: Consumers for Smart Solar making pitch to vote ‘Yes on 1’

Solar incentives the focus of new Consumer Energy Alliance report

Amendment 4 wins — measure would expand solar power in Florida

Fundraising for solar-energy amendment slows in July

PR campaign to launch for solar amendment

“Florida for Solar” forms to back constitutional amendment