Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMay 22, 2018

Contending that there are statutory problems with the federally authorized bonds All Aboard Florida intends to use to finance its Orlando Brightline train expansion, U.S. Reps. Brian Mast, Bill Posey, Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz are urging the federal government to suspend the authorization. At issue is $1.15 billion worth of private activity bonds that […]

Scott PowersApril 26, 2018

Armed with newly-raised congressional skepticism about the legitimacy of a financing method used by the company, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield on Wednesday urged Gov. Rick Scott to pull Florida from the financing deal backing Brightline’s proposed private passenger railroad along the east coast. Scott’s office replied that it would review it. At issue is $1.75 billion […]

Scott PowersApril 24, 2018

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on Tuesday joined his congressional colleagues U.S. Republican Reps. Brian Mast and Bill Posey in questioning whether All Aboard Florida should have received $1.75 billion in federally authorized, tax-exempt private activity bonds to build its private, higher-speed railroad from South Florida to Orlando. Mast, of Palm City, and Posey, of Rockledge, led a […]

Scott PowersMarch 2, 2018

With the derailment of bills seeking state regulation of the private Brightline passenger train system, state Sen. Debbie Mayfield has gotten language inserted into the Senate budget plan that would authorize a safety study of the train. The budget proposal includes new language that would authorize a transportation research center at the University of South […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 19, 2018

Under our new tax code, Apple recently announced plans to invest $30 billion in the U.S. economy over the next five years, which would create more than 20,000 jobs. Companies like AT&T and Wells Fargo have also invested in new hiring, higher wages, or four-figure bonuses, if not all of the above. Overall, more than 125 U.S. employers have […]

Scott PowersJanuary 11, 2018

The Brightline train is about to leave the station. Florida’s first privately-owned and -operated passenger train company in generations announced its debut will occur Saturday, running between its first two stations, in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, on a line that’s envisioned to soon connect to Miami and one day connect to Orlando. Introductory […]

Scott PowersDecember 22, 2017

Brightline has secured federal approval for $1.15 billion in private activity bonds to finance its private, high-speed passenger train planned to link its South Florida passenger train railway with Orlando, the company announced Friday. The company, formerly known as All Aboard Florida, has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval for the tax-exempt bonds to double-track […]

Scott PowersDecember 15, 2017

All Aboard Florida received its final federal approval Friday to build and operate a private, high-speed passenger train system connecting Orlando and South Florida, U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Mario Diaz-Balart announced. The announcement was quickly followed announcements from All Aboard Florida and the Federal Railroad Administration. The administration’s Record of Decision, released Friday after […]

Scott PowersDecember 15, 2017

Indian River and Martin counties and Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida are seeking to delay and move Florida Development Finance Corporation consideration of financing for the All Aboard Florida train, charging that the meeting could violate Florida’s open meeting laws. The two counties and CARE-Florida are opponents of All Aboard Florida’s plans to develop […]

Scott PowersNovember 1, 2017

Ninety minutes before Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine planned to announce his big plans, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham is sending a message that she, too, has South Florida support, announcing endorsements from three other South Florida mayors. Graham’s campaign announced Wednesday morning she has the backing of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Coral Springs […]

Tag: West Palm Beach
Image via AP.

Brian Mast, Bill Posey, others urge feds to suspend bonds for Brightline

Debbie Mayfield urges Rick Scott to ‘protect’ state from Brightline bond questions

Marco Rubio joins calls questioning federal financing behind Brightline

With train bills dead, safety study language appears in Senate budget offer

Dina Rubio: Tax cuts have already helped small businesses, like mine

Brightline sets maiden train run between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale

Brightline gets $1.1B financing approval for Orlando train

Feds approve All Aboard Florida route linking Orlando, South Florida

Opponents of All Aboard Florida charge finance meeting may violate Sunshine Laws

Gwen Graham announces backings of three South Florida mayors