Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2017

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, says it is supporting House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “efforts on (tourism money) transparency and accountability.” In a letter to Corcoran sent Tuesday by foundation President Barbara Petersen, the group responded to Corcoran’s recent “comments in the Orlando Sentinel regarding the need for […]

Associated PressAugust 24, 2017

Florida’s tourism marketing agency paid nearly $441,000 in employee bonuses this summer despite months of scrutiny from legislators over spending. A VISIT FLORIDA spokesman said the use of bonuses was approved in May 2016. Stephen Lawson added that VISIT FLORIDA wouldn’t use employee bonuses in the future. VISIT FLORIDA paid the bonuses in July to […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA CEO Ken Lawson is telling tourism industry leaders he “want(s) to earn (their) trust” in a Wednesday post on the public-private tourism marketing agency’s blog. “As you know, I have been traveling the state, engaging with our partners, board members, legislators and other stakeholders to listen, learn, and offer VISIT FLORIDA’s support at […]

Scott PowersJuly 11, 2017

Kissimmee may be part of the heart of Florida’s tourism district, but three local lawmakers told the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce Tuesday why they did not openly support VISIT FLORIDA during the political wars of this year’s Legislative Session. Republican state Reps. Mike La Rosa and Neil Combee and Democratic state Rep. John Cortes described […]

Scott PowersJuly 4, 2017

Tourism officials are keeping a cautious eye on the horizon, beyond the coast, beyond the sea, to see if the harsh isolationist international rhetoric and tough policies of President Donald Trump could sour foreign tourists on Florida. University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith and Visit Orlando President George Aguel both warned Orange County officials […]

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2017

This Legislative Session was a tumultuous one, with several lawmakers holding to their convictions, refusing to negotiate, but in the end, compromise prevailed. Thankfully, in the final hours of the Special Session, legislative leaders realized the unparalleled value of tourism to our state’s overall economy. By allocating $76 million of funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida […]

Staff ReportsJune 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday appointed Jonathan Zachem as the new Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Matilde Miller, who had been serving as interim secretary since January, has accepted the job of Vice President of Compliance for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s public-private tourism marketing agency. “DBPR is often on […]

Scott PowersJune 27, 2017

With its full state funding finally secured, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors approved a $76 million marketing plan for 2017-’18 that pours far more of the state money into core marketing programs than before, all but eliminates sponsorships, and pares down administrative costs backed by the state money. In a conference call meeting Tuesday, the […]

Scott PowersJune 23, 2017

Stark differences of policy positions were evident between the one Democrat and three of the four Republicans running to fill the open Florida House District 44 seat but the differences between the Republicans proved more subtle in a debate Friday, boiling down to who claimed the strongest ownership of particular GOP positions. The debate sponsored […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

Chalk it up to “passion.” Or politics. Gov. Rick Scott, speaking to reporters after a Wednesday bill signing, explained away the open tension between him and House Speaker Richard Corcoran after the House this year tried to gut VISIT FLORIDA and do away with economic development organization Enterprise Florida, his two favored state agencies. By […]

Tag: Visit Florida

First Amendment Foundation backing Richard Corcoran on transparency

Despite scrutiny Florida’s tourism agency paid out bonuses

Ken Lawson to tourism industry: ‘I want to earn your trust’

Mike La Rosa, Neil Combee and John Cortes defend attacks on VISIT FLORIDA

Tourism officials cautious about what federal rhetoric might do to international visitors’ interests

Carol Dover: Thank you, Florida leaders, for your hospitality

Personnel note: Jonathan Zachem appointed DBPR secretary

VISIT FLORIDA board approves $76 million marketing plan, but questions overall goal

HD 44 special election candidates debate health care, education, marijuana, tourism support

Rick Scott: No hard feelings between him and Richard Corcoran