updated Mon. January 22, 2024
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Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Mixed signals are emanating from the Donald Trump White House regarding continued American military occupation of Syria. Last week, President Trump said American troops, of which there are 2,000, would leave Syria “very soon,” a position that accords with the Saudis. Defense Secretary James MattisÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
“Florida's economy is on a roll. Since 2011, nearly 1.5 million private-sector jobs have been created in our state, and more and more companies are choosing to grow in Florida. Today's announcement means that 200 more families in Jacksonville will be able to find a great job. We will continue workingÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Amanda Soto, the wife of U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, was arrested early Sunday morning in Orange County, on a charge of disorderly intoxication. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat, issued a statement indicating that the arrest followed a domestic incident with a family member, and attributed the situation toÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
While he certainly had controversial moments, Bob Buckhorn will go down as one of the most effective mayors in Tampa's history. During his seven years on the job, Buckhorn's signature achievement has been his relentless prodding and salesmanship that helped transform a once-sleepy downtown into aÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Giffords' political career was cut short by a 2011 assassination attempt that left her with a severe brain injury. Weiss' resume also includes work as a crisis ... She's going to be the first female governor of Florida, and she has already beat the NRA to serve in Congress. #marchforourlives pic.twitter.com/Ãâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Florida Politics asked Nelson about the weakening of the dollar that has happened under the current administration, and how that factors into a potential move into an economic downturn. “Everything is so complicated and so inextricably entwined. The value of the dollar along with imports and exports.
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Former CRC employee Darlene Peoples contended in a late-May whistleblower lawsuit in Florida's 4th Circuit that she was “unlawfully terminated” by the non-profit ... Councilman Gaffney's brief career in political life has been characterized by an unusual amount of aspersions cast on his ethics, including aÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
In the halls of the Capitol, Florida Competes has brought in a lobbying force to articulate what benefits LGBT protections could bring to the state. In an interview with Florida Politics, Gray Robinson lobbyist Joseph R. Salzverg described his role in advocating for the CWA. He's worked on the issue for theÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
It wanted “to clarify that the allowed number and location of (medical marijuana) dispensaries (under Florida law) does not setoff or divest dispensary rights vested under its dispensing organization license,” its filing said. Christian Bax, head of the Health Department's Office of Medical Marijuana Use, hasÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
April 2, 2018
Tallahassee City Commissioner Scott Maddox's 2020 state Senate campaign showed its first signs of life in months: It helped him pay for lawyers. Maddox is one of the central figures in an FBI investigation into City Hall that's been going on since 2015, and recent movement points toward the bureau layingÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 25, 2018
The march approaching Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, snaked for two miles Saturday, with thousands of students, teachers, parents and supporters chanting in favor of tighter gun laws they believe would have prevented last month's massacre there. “Enough is enough,” theyÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 25, 2018
Catholic News Service (CNS) said Gabriella Zuniga, 16, and her sister Valentina, 15, both students from Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, where 17 people were killed in February, attended the service with their parents. CNS posted a photo of the two holding up signs in St. Peter's Square, withÃâà...
Tampabay.com
March 25, 2018
Adam C. Smith is Political Editor for the Tampa Bay Times. He focuses on state and national politics, and is the creator of the award-winning Florida politics blog, The Buzz. He has been with the Times since 1992. Smith grew up in New York City, graduated Kenyon College in Ohio. Phone: (727) 893-8241.
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
Florida Politics Ãâ÷ Florida Politics Ãâ÷ HOME Ãâ÷ HEADLINES Ãâ÷ LOCAL Ãâ÷ Jax Ãâ÷ Orlando Ãâ÷ Tampa Bay Ãâ÷ LEG., INFLUENCE & POLICY Ãâ÷ OPINIONS Ãâ÷ PETER'S LATESTÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
Before the shooting had even stopped, teenagers hiding at their Florida high school were talking about gun control. Within days, they had launched a crusade against gun violence – one that will result in a nationwide series of protests Saturday. In taking up the fight, the students have joined forces withÃâà...
STLtoday.com
March 24, 2018
Florida politics loom large in 'March for Our Lives' ... Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many Democrats from the Florida delegation who took part in the march. “I think it is so monumental ... “Politics in D.C. seems to always get in the way of actually enacting measures that will help American families.”.
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
Today we have attempted to bring you the flavor, via a live blog, of just some of what goes down — with a particular focus on Florida principals. The overwhelming theme of rally speakers: determined legislative action, ensuring that the NRA and allied politicians do not continue to drive the agenda on gunÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
“It turned out a great day for Florida's small businesses to have Gov. Scott sign both small-business rent tax cuts and direct-primary care into law,” NFIB Executive Director Bill Herrle told the News Service of Florida, referring to part of the tax package that reduced a tax on commercial rents. “We look for theÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
In addition to his work with Rutledge Ecenia, Costello also serves on the governing board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District and as an adjunct professor of political communication at Florida State University. Today, Costello can add TallyMadness champion to his impressive resume.
Florida Politics (blog)
March 24, 2018
Dr. Glenda Walters, 75, of Lynn Haven, is a community volunteer and retired teacher from Bay District Schools and adjunct professor with Gulf Coast Community College, Florida State University Panama City, and Barry University. She is reappointed for a term ending Nov. 13, 2020. Thomas Lang, 74, ofÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 23, 2018
“Richard Corcoran has never considered and will not run for Attorney General,” said James Blair, his chief political aide. ... “Personnel note: Philip Levine taps Max Flugrath as communications director” via Florida Politics – Flugrath, a Miami native, comes to the Levine campaign via the Florida HouseÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 22, 2018
“Absolutely, positively no: NO AG bid for Richard Corcoran” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics. “911 calls show quick reaction to Florida bridge collapse” via Freida Frisaro and Jennifer Kay of The Associated Press. “How one reporter overcame lack of data and political traps to tell story of rising numbersÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
The Tampa Bay Times announced Monday that it's bringing on Conan Gallaty as chief digital officer to oversee and expand upon the paper's digital presence. “It is an honor to join the Tampa Bay Times, an organization I have long admired. By pairing its talented staff with new digital products, I see greatÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
The latest TV buy will be split between Levine's independent political committee “All About Florida” and his official Levine for Governor campaign. All About Florida will be spending $630,000 to continue running “We Will” through about March 11, while the official campaign will spend about $1.3 million onÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
Despite those gains, as Florida Politics reported last fall, one lane in which university officials acknowledge a need for improvement is in hiring black-owned businesses for construction contracts, goods and services. While USF spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually in those areas, an incrediblyÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
... educational and entertainment space. The special improvement district allows an appointed board to levy special assessments on commercial properties. The five-member board could also levy a millage rate up to one mill — $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. (Background from Florida Politics Tampa BayÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
Steve Bahmer, president and CEO of the industry group LeadingAge Florida, said the nursing-home rule puts in place what his association and others had worked on with the Scott administration and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Justin Senior since Hurricane Irma. Bahmer, whoseÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
The generic vote favors Democrats and they have clobbered Republicans in special elections. The most stunning was the victory of Democrat Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore. If Republicans cannot win in ultra-red Alabama, can they win anywhere? In Florida, Republicans have all but abandonedÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
A Tallahassee judge has set a one-day trial for May 16 in the legal effort to overturn the state's ban on smoking medical marijuana. But in her order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said she will first hear the state's motion for summary judgment at 10 o'clock that morning; summary judgments allow parties to winÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
A measure to expand workers' compensation benefits to first responders who suffer job-related post-traumatic stress disorder has passed the Legislature unanimously and now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. A spokesman on Monday said the governor will “review the legislation” when received, but would notÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 6, 2018
Florida Politics recently ran a column calling me out for raising campaign dollars in the wake of the Stoneman Douglas massacre and did so without the benefit ... Emma Collum is a small-business attorney, President and Founder of Women's March Florida, and a Democratic candidate for House District 93.
Florida Politics (blog)
March 5, 2018
Charlie and Carole Crist have sold their condo in the Parkshore Plaza building in downtown St. Petersburg. The couple, who are going through a divorce, sold the condo to Susan and Daniel McGeown for $1.35 million, about $300,000 more than they paid for the property when they bought it in mid-2015.
Florida Politics (blog)
March 5, 2018
Carlos Trujillo told Florida Politics on Saturday evening that the Legislature's budget will not fund the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program (HHRP) and the Rental Recovery Loan Program (RRLP). Instead, dollars dedicated to affordable housing will go to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)Ãâà...
Tampabay.com
March 5, 2018
Puppies in Florida. And you thought the Legislature could never sink to new lows to accommodate special interests. Florida House members tucked into a broad tax bill (HB 7087) a measure that would prevent local governments from banning cruel and inhumane pet mills that too often subject breedingÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 5, 2018
“It was entertaining political theater,” Senate budget chairman Rob Bradley told POLITICO after the floor spat. “It was totally devoid of facts and detached from reality, but it was entertaining.” … The flash point centered around a controversial provision tucked into the House priority K-12 omnibus bill, FL HBÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 4, 2018
The Florida Senate took the better part of eight hours during a rare Saturday session to work through 128 amendments — only one of which passed the floor — on a single bill. Yet even with the amendment's approval, partisan spirits haven't changed on a proposal designed to address issues unearthed inÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 4, 2018
“Just when you think the GOP is going to do the right thing, they go right back to do nothing to end gun violence,” Florida Democratic Party spokeswoman Caroline Rowland quickly vented in an email to reporters. Democratic candidate for governor Gwen Graham also tweeted, “If I was Governor, I wouldÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 4, 2018
Another unresolved issue is funding for the Florida Forever land-buying program, with the Senate pushing for a $100 million program in the new budget ... which during the 2016 election cycle made $156,500 in campaign contributions, including contributing $50,000 to Negron and political committees heÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
March 4, 2018
Three Central Florida Democrats will continue their efforts to curb gun violence on Saturday as lawmakers continue to grapple with the post-Parkland political environment. Linda Stewart will renew her push of an assault weapons ban during a rare Saturday floor session of the Florida Senate, while stateÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
December 31, 1999
First on #FlaPol — Amid an increasingly competitive GOP primary for governor, Republican candidate Adam Putnam is naming Bret Prater as his new campaign manager, sources confirmed Monday night. In 2016, we called him “the steadiest, calmest, most accessible, friendliest, best-natured individualÃâà...
Florida Politics (blog)
December 31, 1999
Happiest of birthday wishes Michelle Todd Schorsch, the woman who changed my life seven years ago after a toast on a pirate ship. She is strikingly intelligent and thoroughly considerate and caring. She is the most loyal person I have ever met, with a strong sense of purpose and deeply-held convictions.
Florida Politics (blog)
December 31, 1999
@LearyReports: Interior Secretary [Ryan] Zinke maintains stance on Florida drilling, that moratorium in effect already and there's widespread political opposition in the state. Sen. Bill Nelson, he says, should be thanking him, not criticizing. — @MarcACaputo: National TV media already pivoting away fromÃâà...
