Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 13, 2016

One of the big stories of last legislative session: Rick Scott was not on the “Bean Team,” with budget vetoes that shocked Aaron Bean, as Tia Mitchell wrote. Since then, Bean has attempted to mend fences. Steve Bousquet documented Bean’s awkward sounding attempt to rebuild a relationship last year. And now, Bean has kissed Scott’s ring anew, signing on in support of […]

Peter SchorschOctober 28, 2015

We sat down for a few minutes with Chip Case of Jefferson Monroe Consulting and he shared with us just a little bit about what makes him tick. Here is the file on Chip Case: Significant other? Children? Grand kids? A daughter, who is a blessing and will always be my greatest accomplishment. In 25 words […]

Peter SchorschOctober 22, 2015

The latest edition of the 4th Floor Files talks with lobbyist Shawn Foster, a government relations consultant with Sunrise Consulting Group. Foster represents about a dozen clients – mostly in the Tampa Bay area – including the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, Sarasota County and the city of Brooksville. Here is the file on Shawn Foster. […]

James CallMarch 11, 2015

The Florida Senate’s creative use of music and a whimsical self-awareness among members of the Florida Cabinet were among the highlights of the 60th (Sometimes) Annual Capitol Press Corps Skits Tuesday night. Reporters and politicos lampooned each other with the House and Attorney General Pam Bondi paying Times reporter Michael Van Sickler maybe the profession’s […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

It was a day of testing at the state Capitol. The House Education Committee took about an hour to dispose of an overhaul of Florida’s school accountability system. The measure reducing testing and allowing an earlier start date of the school year sailed through with a few concerns expressed and a unanimous vote. While the […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

News will take a backseat to humor Tuesday night when the Capitol Press Corps presents the 60th edition of the sometimes Annual Press Skits; a tradition that began when the senior members of Florida’s political/media class were toddlers. “It’s become ingrained in the culture of Tallahassee, said Steve Bousquet, appearing in his 21st Press Skits show. […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2015

“If you don’t measure, you don’t really care.” That’s what Jeb Bush told a crowd of supporters at his recent education forum in Tallahassee. The more data, the better, it would seem. Well, not since the days of this amazing vintage footage of Steve Bousquet covering the late Gov. Reubin Askew‘s 1984 presidential run has there been […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2015

Like most everyone else in Florida politics, I read with interest the Tampa Bay Times‘ profile of Rick Scott’s Chief of Staff, Melissa Sellers. Because I have personally done almost as much research on Sellers as Times reporters Adam Smith and Steve Bousquet, there wasn’t much that they wrote that surprised me. In fact — and this is […]

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, […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2015

A new scandal exploded across Tallahassee on Tuesday afternoon after Gov. Rick Scott admitted that Gerald Bailey did not voluntarily resign as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but was forced out against his will. Under Florida law, the governor cannot fire the head of FDLE without the support of at least one other member […]

Tag: Steve Bousquet
Image via AP.

Aaron Bean courts Rick Scott, backs Enterprise Florida

4th Floor Files talks with Chip Case on John Wayne, integrity and public service

4th Floor Files talks with Shawn Foster about fried chicken, gratitude and ballin’ with Bousquet

Jose Oliva, Jeff Atwater, Senate stars of Capitol Press Corps Skits

The day that was in Florida Politics — March 9

Annual Capitol Press Skits skewer Tallahassee elite

Will Florida Republicans hold a Presidency 6 straw poll this year?

Make fun of Melissa Sellers all you want, but not for this…

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

Peter Schorsch: What’s the Scott administration going to do about Bailey’s firing?