Let’s Get to Work, the political action committee tied to Gov. Rick Scott, had its political consultant, OnMessage, do a presidential poll. The results? Republican Donald Trump has a two-point lead over…
Category: State & National News
State Weekly Roundup: Brown interrupts the quiet
(Recap and analysis of the week in state government) By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Other than a steady stream of emails from politicians letting loose about mushrooming concerns regarding…
Charlotte’s Web creators fight for Florida license
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA More than two years after lawmakers legalized a limited type of medical marijuana, an administrative law judge heard arguments Wednesday in a dispute about…
Taxwatch on how Florida can save $2B annually [podcast]
Last week, the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force approved its final report, which outlines 29 recommendations that would improve government operations while saving hard-working Florida taxpayers’ money. The potential cost-savings the state…
Miller proposes bill to protect VA whistleblowers
Yesterday, Chairman Jeff Miller introduced H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016. The bill would strengthen protections for whistleblowers and help fix the Department of Veterans Affairs’…
Five Questions for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Hours after a gunman killed 49 clubgoers and injured more than 50 others in his city, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told his community —…
Trump’s GOP convention unpredictable and exciting [podcast]
Sharon Day, co-chairman of the Republican National Committee, said this week that she is excited about the upcoming GOP National Convention. She said the convention committee is working with the Trump campaign…
Underhill has questions re: Bay Bridge
Commissioner Doug Underhill has also been trying get answers from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the plans for the new Pensacola Bay Bridge. In an email to Mary Beth Washnock, the…
NRA successfully blocks judicial appointment
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Rick Scott appointed Robert Dees to the 4th Judicial Circuit on Friday, choosing the Jacksonville attorney from a list six nominees that included…
Mystery candidate pays $10K to get in GOP Congressional race
On Thursday, Gary Fairchild paid $10,440 to run as a Republican for the First Congressional District seat. The address that he gave was 4771 Bayou Boulevard, #175, Pensacola, FL 32503 – which…
Anti-corruption, ethics and accountability: Always the toughest bills to pass
State Sen. Don Gaetz this afternoon sent out this email to his constituents. The Anti-Corruption has been passed by all the appropriate House and Senate committees. The Government Accountability Act still must…
Prison health firm cancels contract with state
By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Saying a contract with the state is “too constraining,” a company that provides health care to 75,000 Florida prison inmates gave notice Monday that…
Senate could drop Confederate flag from seal
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA State senators are scheduled next week to begin considering whether to keep the Confederate flag on the Senate’s official seal, another sign of a…
Miller is not considering a 2016 run for Senate
On Pensacola Speaks yesterday, Congressman Jeff Miller, who represents Northwest Florida, said that running for U.S. Senate next year is not up for discussion. “I have a number of people who have…
Ingram chosen to chair House Transportation Subcommittee
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) today announced his choice of Representative Clay Ingram (R-Pensacola) to serve as Chairman of the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee for the 2014-2016 Legislative…
Video: Pam Bondi defends herself
The News Service of Florida posted this video of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi adamantly defending herself when questioned about news reports implying she has cozy relationships with out-of-state lobbyists and corporate…
Jeb Bush, 2016 presidential candidate? It’s 50-50
In an interview Sunday on “Face the Nation,†former President George W. Bush put the chances of his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, running in 2016 for president at “50-50.†Jeb…
TaxWatch recommends paroling elderly prisoners
Florida’s prison population is rapidly increasing despite declining crime rates, and the latest report from Florida TaxWatch recommends options to prevent increasing costs from overwhelming taxpayers. The report, Florida’s Aging Prisoner Problem,…
Poll show Governor’s race too close to call
By DARA KAM and JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Less than two months before Election Day, Florida voters are split between their top two choices for governor, but they agree…
Patronis selected for Public Service Commission
When Gov. Rick Scott visited Pensacola this summer for a rally at a VFW hall, Jimmy Patronis introduced him to the crowd. That relationship has paid off for the Panama City lawmaker….
