According to Florida’s Secretary of State, 735,681 mail-in ballots have yet to be returned as of 5 a.m. this morning. The majority of which are ballots requested by Democrats. Unreturned Mail-in Ballots…
Tag: Florida
Florida Lt. Governor on impact of early voting [podcast]
Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera appeared yesterday on “Pensacola Speaks” to promote early voting. I asked him how early voting impacts an election. “One, a vote that’s already cast is a vote that…
State Backroom Briefing: Red State, Blue State
(Weekly political notes from The News Service of Florida) By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA As this year’s presidential race bounces along, the nation’s partisan divide continues drawing attention. People…
Net worths of Florida Cabinet reported
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Gov. Rick Scott’s net worth dropped nearly 19 percent — mainly due to a reduction in the value of his investments in a blind…
Pensacola ranked third best Florida city to find a job
Wallet Hub has ranked Pensacola the third best Florida city for finding a job, trailing only Sarasota and Jacksonville Beach. Pensacola ranked #10 in Job Market and #19 in Socioeconomic Environment, which…
Florida given 2016 Silver Shovel awards
Area Development, the leading publication focused on site selection and facility planning, has given Florida a 2016 Silver Shovel Award in recognition of projects undertaken in 2015. This is the fourth consecutive…
Florida ranked fourth for tech industry employment
Earlier this week, the non-profit tech association CompTIA released its Cyberstates 2016 report, which provides a state-by-state analysis of the U.S. technology job market. Florida’s tech industry employment ranked 4th in the…
Florida TaxWatch: Transportation infrastructure needs
Robert Weissert, executive vice president of Florida TaxWatch, said on “Pensacola Speaks” that the shortfall for the state’s transportation infrastructure needs is more than a $130 billion over the next 25 years….
Escambia County senior classes lose over 30 percent between ninth and twelfth grades
The enrollment of the Escambia County School District has been relatively stable for several years, losing only 14 students between the 2012-13 and 2015-16 school years. However, the high school enrollment dropped…
Florida Taxwatch supports a funding increase for state infrastructure
Florida TaxWatch believes the investments in transportation infrastructure provide greater productivity and improved quality of life for all Floridians. Its new report found that Florida needs to make investments in the state’s…
Gaetz hopeful lawmakers will hammer out health care solution
Don Gaetz is hopeful that the Florida House and Senate will hammer out a budget in June. The biggest sticking point is how the state will be budget for the health care…
Breaking news: Florida House flips out Senate, adjourns
From News Service of Florida: Amid a bitter impasse with the Senate about the budget and health-care issues, the House adjourned “sine die” about 1:15 p.m. Central. The adjournment came three days…
Florida Cabinet slows down agency appointments
Capitol watchers were given a glimpse this week of the next chapter in the showdown between the governor and Cabinet members over department-head appointments. Aides to Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney…
Viewpoint: The ‘They changed the formula’ education excuse
By Jac Wilder VerSteeg, Context Florida Florida’s national ranking by Education Week has dropped precipitously, to No. 28. In 2013, Florida was ranked No. 6. When Florida’s public education system rose to…
Florida will have $336 million surplus next year
State lawmakers will have about $336 million extra in the budget year that begins next July, according to a draft state report issued late Wednesday. The Long-Range Financial Outlook, an annual report,…
Unemployment rate holds steady in Florida
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida’s jobless mark continued its steady run through 2014, holding at 6.2 percent from June to July, the state Department of Economic Opportunity announced…
Net worth up for most Florida lawmakers
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA For most state lawmakers, 2013 was another good year financially, regardless of party. Still, those with an “R” affixed to their names are doing…
State drops voter purge
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida In an election-year turnaround, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration is dropping a problematic voter purge aimed at keeping non-U.S. citizens from casting ballots. In the…
Uh, one more gun bill. This time it involves schools and NRA. What could go wrong?
By Margie Menzek, The News Service of Florida A bill backed by the National Rifle Association that lawmakers said would add “common sense” to zero-tolerance policies for guns in public schools sailed…
Yes, sir. Florida Legislature has another gun bill
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Insurance companies could face tougher penalties if they impose higher rates, refuse to issue or cancel auto or homeowner policies due to gun ownership,…
