Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Peter SchorschAugust 16, 2016

Florida candidates and committees collected more than $10.5 million in contributions for the July 30 through Aug. 5 reporting period, though a lot of that money can be tagged to a handful of players. More than a quarter of that total came from utility companies pumping money into “Consumers for Smart Solar,” the committee backing […]

Julie DelegalApril 17, 2016

Jim Kallinger and Dick Batchelor wrote in Context Florida last week that voters should support “Amendment 1,” which seeks to regulate solar energy in Florida. They disclose at the end of the article that they work for “Consumers for Smart Solar.” But voters may not know that “Consumers for Smart Solar” is a bankrolled front […]

Kimberly DeFalcoFebruary 13, 2016

At the site of the future Manatee Solar Energy Center in Parrish, Florida Power & Light executives, environmentalists, state and local officials cheered as a groundbreaking ceremony significantly changed the dynamics of solar power in the Sunshine State. At 10:50 a.m. Thursday, FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy and Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam flipped the […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 14, 2015

Fundraising appears to have stalled for the committee backing an amendment making it easier for consumers to buy and sell solar power while donations to its industry-backed rival show no sign of slowing down. Floridians for Solar Choice brought in just $591 for August while it spent more than $135,000. That’s a major drop off […]

Associated PressMay 19, 2015

Residents of the Sunshine State are finding that harnessing Florida’s abundant solar power is no simple task. With its bounty of sunny days, Florida ranks third in the nation in rooftop solar energy potential but 13th in the amount of solar energy generated, according to industry estimates. The industry views Florida as a sleeping giant […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that would allow Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the shutdown of its Crystal River nuclear plant isn’t necessarily doomed in the House because of bill changes made by the Senate on Friday, a leading House supporter said. HB 7109 allows Duke Energy Florida to issue bonds for the $1.4 billion nuclear […]

Bruce RitchieApril 24, 2015

The Senate on Friday voted to send an amended Public Service Commission bill back to the House after Sen. Jack Latvala indicated that Capitol lobbyists are not pleased with it. HB 7109 would limit PSC members to serving three four-year terms and require those who lobby to register the PSC Nominating Council to register as […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

A Senate bill amendment to bar legislators from being on the Public Service Commission within two years of leaving office was withdrawn Thursday. Sen. John Legg, a Republican from Lutz, had filed the amendment to SB 288, a PSC bill that was brought up on second reading Thursday. The amendment was withdrawn because of a […]

Christine Jordan SextonFebruary 2, 2015

Former lawmaker Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff is now a registered lobbyist. Bogdanoff registered last week to lobby with EBS Consulting in Fort Lauderdale. Eleven clients have signed with Bogdanoff since January. Lobbyist registration reports show they include Tampa Electric, Broward Principals and Administrative Assistants, Florida Association of Local Housing Finance Authorities, Florida East Coast Industries and […]

Tag: Tampa Electric
Lara Trump, DOnald Trump and Melania Trump. Image via AP.

Amendment 4 wins — measure would expand solar power in Florida

Utilities, trial lawyers give big in recent reporting period

Julie Delegal: Pro-solar consumers beware: Vote no on Amendment 1

FPL breaks ground on new solar power plants

Fundraising turns gloomy for Floridians for Solar Choice committee

“Sunshine State” or not, Florida badly behind on solar power

Duke Energy bill not doomed by Senate changes, key House supporter says

Senate sends PSC bill back to House with changes that “folks in the hall” don’t like

PSC/Duke Energy bill teed up for Senate vote after amendment withdrawn

Ellyn Bogdanoff joins Tallahassee lobbying corps