Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressOctober 10, 2016

When Christa Savva returned to the Sandy Shoes Beach Resort a day after Hurricane Matthew brushed by Melbourne Beach, Florida, she looked at the beach in front of the pink-flamingo-colored hotel and noticed that half the sand dunes had disappeared. Savva guesses three-quarters of the missing dunes washed into the ocean, and the remaining quarter […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 18, 2016

We love the water around here. We boat on it, haul fish from it, swim in it, and build houses that provide spectacular views of it. Water is such a big deal around here that many people identify us not by the actual places where we live, but by the catchall name of Tampa Bay. […]

Tamara LushAugust 7, 2016

Thank goodness it’s the slow season in Florida. At least that’s what officials and representatives of the state’s multibillion-dollar tourism industry are thinking in the wake of the news that 16 people have been infected with Zika in a small, trendy neighborhood in Miami. The outbreak has sent another chill through the Sunshine State’s all-important […]

Scott PowersJune 28, 2016

The NFL is getting the money it wants to bring the Pro Bowl All-Star Game to Orlando in 2017, ’18 and ’19. The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to approve spending $1 million a year in tourism development tax to bring the Pro Bowl to Camping World Stadium. The board also approved $137,000 a year […]

Scott PowersJune 22, 2016

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Wednesday she plans to move forward in proposing a county ordinance to set rules on future uses for tourist tax money. Her statement comes a day after the Orange County Charter Review Commission reversed course Tuesday, and decided to not send a similar proposal to voters as a charter amendment. […]

Associated PressMay 2, 2016

It’s a crowded world after all – at least in Orlando’s hotels and theme parks. Tourism officials announced Monday that the number of visitors coming to Orlando last year jumped 5.5 percent to more than 66 million visitors. That figure sets a record for tourists in Orlando and helps the central Florida city hang onto […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is scheduled to give his State of the City this morning. Here are some things to look for in his speech. Transportation – In his 2014 speech, Buckhorn called for a funding referendum to support expanded bus service and light rail in Tampa, saying that the goal should be a referendum in the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 7, 2016

When people think of Florida, they picture the Florida Keys with its clear water, warm sand and the quintessential laid-back lifestyle. But, the Keys are much more than that, as it is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, a national marine sanctuary, national and state parks, wildlife refuges, state aquatic preserves, and unique marine […]

Associated PressFebruary 18, 2016

The number of tourists flocking to Florida keeps growing to record numbers. And this time it’s a big one. Gov. Rick Scott will announce Thursday during a visit to Disney World that 105 million tourists made their way to Florida last year. That’s according to preliminary estimates prepared by Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

Orlando’s hope of having the world’s tallest roller coaster is one step closer to becoming reality. Orange County’s board of commissioners granted zoning approval Tuesday night for the $500 million Skyplex Orlando project. The unanimous vote means that developer Joshua Wallack and his family can go forward with plans to build the 570-foot “Skyscraper” coaster […]

Tag: tourism

Storm wipes out Florida sand crucial for protection, tourism

Joe Henderson: Polluted water in St. Pete leaves little room for mistake

Florida officials go into damage-control mode over Zika

Orange County approves Pro Bowl money

Teresa Jacobs plans to move forward on tourist tax ordinance

The Might of Mickey: Orlando still top U.S. destination

5 things to look for in Bob Buckhorn’s State of Tampa address

Anitere Flores and Holly Raschein: Legislature must provide money to protect The Florida Keys

Sun, sand & theme parks bring record number of tourists

Board approves plan for world’s tallest coaster in Orlando