Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 13, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott isn’t showing his cards when it comes to a wide-sweeping and contentious education bill, despite rumblings he could sign the measure as early as this week. The Naples Republican said he is still reviewing the bill (HB 7069), which, among other things, creates a “Schools of Hope” charter school program backed by […]

Michael MolineJune 9, 2017

The House passed the economic incentives package Friday over complaints it would hand Gov. Rick Scott a “slush fund” and make a mockery of the leadership’s professed opposition to picking winners and losers in the economy. The vote was 111-4. The “no” votes were John Cortes, Evan Jenne, McGhee, and Emily Slosberg — all Democrats. The […]

Michael MolineJune 7, 2017

The Senate’s frustration at the cosy new relationship between Gov. Rick Scott and the House showed during debate in the Committee on Commerce and Tourism on a compromise economic incentives and tourism-marketing plan. Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, presenting the bill, noted the criticism over “backroom dealmaking” involving the budget approved during an extended regular session […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

The House’s main budgeting panel on Wednesday cleared one of the bills planned for the Special Session dealing with tourism promotion, job training and public infrastructure. The Appropriations Committee, on a unanimous vote, OK’d the measure (HB 1A). Among other things, it creates the $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, and awards $76 million to and imposes accountability […]

Tag: 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

Amid continued calls to veto HB 7069, Rick Scott says he is still ‘reviewing it’

The economic incentives bill clears the House by a lopsided vote

Senate bristles at House ‘Holy Grail’ version of economic incentives package

House panel clears Special Session infrastructure, job training bill