State & National News - Rick's Blog

Gaetz: BRAC is coming [podcast]

Congressman Matt Gaetz said yesterday that Northwest Florida should prepare for a new BRAC (Base Closure and Realignment Commission). The last BRAC was in 2005….

Buzz: Enterprise Florida CEO resigns abruptly (update)

The word from Tallahassee is Gov. Rick Scott’s new Enterprise Florida CEO, Chris Hart, has resigned. Hart had only held the position three months. His…

Rubio: Trump’s style is ‘what people voted for’

Yesterday, Sen. Marco Rubio appeared on â€œMeet the Press with Chuck Toddâ€ and addressed President Donald Trumpâ€™s recent tweets alleging wiretapping. On Friday, Rubio traveled…

GOP leaders go into session divided

By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A philosophical schism is plaguing a fractured Republican Party leading up to what insiders characterize as potentially…

Ten issues to watch during 2017 session

By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida lawmakers are poised to return to Tallahassee for the March 7 start of the 2017 legislative…

Scott to head Republican Governors Association

From The News Service of Florida: Gov. Rick Scott has been elected vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association, the group announced Friday. The RGA…

House fires back against Enterprise Florida [video]

The Florida House has created a YouTube video that argues its case to eliminate Enterprise Florida. It opens with Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute that…

Constitution Revision Commission slowly gaining shape

NEGRON OUTLINES CRC PRIORITIES, NAMES MEMBERS By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Two former state senators, the president of The Florida Bar and…

House looks to tighten local ethics rules

By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A House committee unanimously approved an overhaul of local ethics rules Tuesday, paving the way for legislation…

Watch for how medical marijuana is implemented

By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A key senator Thursday released the Legislature’s first attempt at carrying out a constitutional amendment that broadly…

Sen. Broxson and other senators file Triumph Gulf Coast bill

State Sen. Doug Broxson, along with Senators Bill Montford and George Gainer, have a filed a bill that would appropriate $300 million in BP oil…

Miller misses out on VA Secretary position

In his press conference yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump said that he had asked David J. Shulkin, a current under Veterans Affairs secretary, to lead that…

Gaetz: Obamacare repeal begins today

Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL1) said on “Pensacola Speaks” yesterday that the repeal of Obamacare will begin today. The House of Representatives will pass the Senate…

Matt Gaetz on Pensacola Speaks today

Congressman Matt Gaetz will be my guest today on News Talk 1370 WCOA’s “Pensacola Speaks” at 5:10 p.m.

It’s official: Gaetz on Armed Services and Budget

Just as we reported last week: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has appointed U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to the House Armed Services Committee (HASC)…

Visit Florida preps for Scott, House

By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Visit Florida postponed a marketing committee meeting Monday as the public-private tourism agency — whose state money…

Bondi headed to DC?

Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida: By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Bloomberg Politics amped up speculation Thursday that Florida…

Buzz: Gaetz lands key House committees

Sources close to the House leadership shared with Inweekly that Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL1) will be named to the House Armed Services and Budget committees….