Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 12, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA is saying ‘oops’ over what it calls a “clerical error” showing it made advertising buys in several Middle Eastern countries, including Syria, listed by the feds as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” The state’s embattled tourism marketing arm “was recently alerted to a clerical error in a short-term contract with the international advertising agency […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 9, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott took a swing at state lawmakers, saying the Legislature turned its back on economic incentive deals that have helped Florida “out compete … top competitors for important jobs.” The Naples Republican released a scathing statement Tuesday, scolding legislative leaders for passing a budget that “was done largely behind closed doors.” Scott said […]

Michael MolineMay 8, 2017

The Senate sent the VISIT Florida and Enterprise Florida budget cuts to the Governor Monday on a 29-8 vote, but not before Sen. Jack Latvala, who has supported Gov. Rick Scott on economic incentives, took the opportunity to nitpick. The House approved the measure earlier in the day. Latvala started with HB 5501’s formal name: […]

Jim RosicaMay 8, 2017

House members on Monday approved a measure dealing with VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida funding on a 74-34 vote. If vetoed, however, the “conforming bill” would need 80 votes to overcome Gov. Rick Scott‘s red pen. Both chambers have begun discussing the 2017-18 state budget, which wasn’t completed on time to finish the 2017 Legislative Session last Friday. […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2017

Dysfunction seems to run in Tallahassee like a sine wave. We went from the collapse of 2015 – the House going home early, no budget, a Special Budget Session – to the trains-on-time Session of 2016, to the no-budget-at-the-end-of-regulation Session in 2017. We saw another Session in which we got oh-so-close to a gambling bill, […]

Phil AmmannMay 5, 2017

Working toward a final Florida state budget, news of a skirmish between the Senate and House emerges. A war of words appears to have broken out between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Latvala ended budget negotiations after Corcoran “changed the deal” by insisting the final agreement link […]

Scott PowersMay 3, 2017

In Lake Mary to preach support for three budget priorities he’s not getting yet, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday he wants to see the Florida Legislature adopt a budget yet this week and would not commit to vetoes if he he doesn’t get what he wants in it. Scott made the first of 10 stops on […]

Joe HendersonMay 3, 2017

While it’s clear what Gov. Rick Scott hopes to accomplish with his barnstorming tour of the state over the next few days, it almost certainly won’t make any difference. He calls it the “Fighting For Florida’s Future” tour because he wants to fully fund Enterprise Florida so it can continue providing $85 million in taxpayer […]

Scott PowersMay 2, 2017

Three days from the prospect of losing funding for his two favorite economic development organizations and his big environmental project, Gov. Rick Scott plans to spend those three days touring Florida to get people to pressure for their salvation. Scott announced Tuesday his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” campaign, taking him on a whirlwind tour of home […]

Peter SchorschMay 1, 2017

Money to help smaller communities market themselves during the off-season could still be in play as legislative leaders continue to negotiate the 2017-18 budget. The Senate has proposed language to move a state-funded marketing program run by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation from Visit Florida. The House […]

Tag: Visit Florida

VISIT FLORIDA cops to ‘clerical error’ on Syria advertising

Rick Scott says he will make veto decision ‘based on what’s best’ for Florida families

Jack Latvala gets into it with Jeff Brandes over economics incentives bill

House OKs VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida funding cuts

Winners and losers emerging from the 2017 Legislative Session

Jack Latvala blames final budget stalemate on Richard Corcoran’s ‘last-minute switcheroo’

Rick Scott wants budget this week, no commitment on veto

Joe Henderson: While Rick Scott goes on tour to plead his case, Richard Corcoran keeps piling up wins

Rick Scott plans whirlwind tour to press support for VISIT Florida, Enterprise Florida, Hoover Dike

Hospitality marketing money still in play, lawmakers say