Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2016

Tom Lee is facing eviction from the state Legislature this fall due to redistricting, but now says he is seriously eyeing a possible run for office in Hillsborough County in 2016. The Brandon Republican told FloridaPolitics he decide within the next few weeks where his political destination lies, and it could be a county commission seat. “I’m thinking […]

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2016

When the Florida Department of Transportation announced their plans to add toll lanes to I-275 in what is now known as the Tampa Bay Express project, Tampa Heights residents reacted in shock last year. FDOT officials said that as part of the ultimate construction of the project, there are properties in Seminole Heights and Tampa […]

Staff ReportsApril 11, 2016

Miami-based attorney Ivette Arango O’Doski, who also lives in Tallahassee (she’s married to Advantage Consulting Team’s co-founder Rhett O’Doski), became part of the Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney team April 1. She will staff the Miami office. Her hire opens the door for the firm’s entry into the lucrative South Florida governmental relations market. In 2014, Gov. Rick Scott appointed her as a “consumer […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2016

A mentally ill inmate who was in protective custody was found dead at the Columbia Correctional Institution on Tuesday, a day after a corrections officer was hospitalized in an attack. It’s yet another black mark on Florida’s prison system, one that many say is overcrowded and underfunded. The Department of Corrections, though, insists those issues had nothing […]

Drew WilsonApril 1, 2016

The Florida Department of Corrections announced Friday that it planned to hire thousands of correctional officers during the coming year, despite lawmakers telling the department it should rein in spending. “Properly staffing our institutions is critical to the safe and secure operations of our facilities,” FDOC Secretary Julie Jones said in a news release. “To […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2016

Like may people in the Tampa Heights community that he represents, House District 61 Democrat Ed Narain was holding his breath when news broke on Tuesday that Gov. Rick Scott had vetoed $256 million in projects from the just concluded legislative session. The good news is that Narain’s request for $1.2 million to move what has become a […]

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 […]

Associated PressMarch 14, 2016

Florida lawmakers went home when they were supposed to this year. That alone made the 2016 Legislative Session more successful than last year. In an often contentious process where far more bills die than go to the governor, it was a rare year in Tallahassee. How so? Lawmakers passed restrictions on abortion and killed a […]

Ryan RayMarch 7, 2016

The Budget Conference Chairs held their final meeting Monday night, finalizing all remaining differences between House and Senate proposals and approving “supplemental funding issues” paid for with money from what is informally known as the “bill pot” or more informally still as — sprinkle money. Chair Rep. Richard Corcoran and Vice Chair Sen. Tom Lee wrote into the budget a mixture […]

Peter SchorschMarch 7, 2016

Multiple outlets reported over the weekend that budget conferees effectively killed a line item to “refresh” the state’s inventory of law enforcement radios furnished by the Brevard County vendor Harris Corp. The issue has been the subject of what Senate budget chief Tom Lee called a “vendor fist fight” between Harris – which holds a lucrative 20-year state […]

Tag: Tom Lee

Tom Lee is considering a run in Hillsborough County this year – but for what seat?

Hillsborough state and local lawmakers celebrate bipartisanship in saving the Tampa Heights community center

Personnel notes: Ivette Arango O’doski, Karen Skyers and Jennifer Wilson making moves

Jeff Brandes say his next focus will be on reforming Florida prison system

Department of Corrections to go on hiring binge

Ed Narain proud of accomplishments in House, ready for Senate

State police radios funds spared from veto list

Unlike 2015, Florida lawmakers go home happy, on time

Lawmakers close out budget with $123 million in new projects

Funds for police radios nixed in budget conference? Not so fast