Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJanuary 24, 2016

We live in a competitive world. Companies compete for our attention as consumers, and each state competes with all the others to entice those companies to move to their state. However, for Florida to attract new businesses, we must better market Florida domestically, nationally and globally. Florida’s low taxes and natural resources attract new residents, […]

Scott PowersJanuary 21, 2016

Newly elected chairman of the Florida Board of Governors Thomas Kuntz has declared that Florida’s state universities need to elevate their standings as research institutions. In giving his first State of the [University] System address Thursday afternoon, shortly after being elected to succeed Morteza “Mori” Hosseini as chairman, Kuntz acknowledged there has been strong progress in two of the Board […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2016

A medical marijuana grower may have told a Senate panel last week he was working with University of Florida scientists, but a university spokeswoman now says that’s not the case, according to a report by public broadcasting affiliate WUFT-TV and FM. Robert Wallace, owner of Chestnut Hill Tree Farm in Alachua, on Wednesday told senators on the Regulated […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott has elevated a Leon County judge and top state official under former Gov. Charlie Crist to be the Tallahassee area’s newest circuit judge. Scott on Monday appointed Robert R. Wheeler to a vacancy on the 2nd Judicial Circuit bench. Wheeler replaces former Judge Frank Sheffield. “Throughout his career, Judge Wheeler has proven to be a good […]

Phil AmmannNovember 13, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has selected Steve Dwinell to be director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy. Dwinell is a 20-year veteran of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as environmental administrator and has been assistant director of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services since 2000. He makes $101,391.16 annually, according the […]

Ryan RayOctober 30, 2015

Judge Joseph Lewis Jr. of the 1st District Court of Appeal dealt a blow to advocates of so-called “campus carry” Friday when he affirmed a lower court’s decision in favor of the University of Florida against the gun rights group Florida Carry. It took UF to court over the school’s policy prohibiting guns in campus-owned […]

Peter SchorschOctober 7, 2015

Toby Philpot is leaving his chief of staff role at the Florida Lottery to take the same position at the Agency for Health Care Administration, according to AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek. Dudek announced the move in a departmental email on Wednesday. He replaces Jennifer Ungru, who left AHCA to become a “corporate affairs advisor” for Jones Walker […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2015

A 30-year veteran of marketing and public relations has been tapped to become Enterprise Florida’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Joseph S. Hice Jr. will be the organization’s senior vice president for marketing, overseeing its marketing and communications, according to a Tuesday press release. Enterprise Florida is the state’s public-private economic development agency. “Joe will take Enterprise Florida’s […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 25, 2015

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Consumer confidence in Florida has dropped slightly in September, down 3 points. The monthly University of Florida consumer sentiment survey ticked downwards to 87.9, with four of five components that make up the index declining and one increasing. Compared with the same time last year, perceptions of personal finances fell 2.1 points to 80.5; expectations of […]

Diane RobertsSeptember 17, 2015

Near the end of the latest televised dork parade billed as a “Republican Debate,” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked each candidate what her or his Secret Service code name should be. “Secretariat,” whinnied Carly Fiorina. “Humble,” hollered Donald Trump. “Gator!” said Marco Rubio. Sigh. Marcocito received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida after a […]

Tag: University of Florida

Ed Moore: Aiming toward a competitive future for Florida

State university system chairman urges improvements in research standing

Report: UF just says no to medical marijuana partnerships

Rick Scott taps former Charlie Crist official to be capital-area circuit judge

Personnel note: Steve Dwinell promoted to Ag Dept.’s director of water policy

1st DCA upholds UF policy against guns in student housing

Toby Philpot leaves Lottery for AHCA

Enterprise Florida names new marketing executive

Florida consumer confidence drops slightly in September

Diane Roberts: Marcocito, Secret Service code names and the Gators