Thrasher to run for Senate
Former House Speaker-turned lobbyist John Thrasher will run for term-limited Sen. Jim King’s seat, Thrasher confirmed. The Jacksonville Republican has not officially entered the race but said he will...
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Lawson’s loosened gift ban proposal killed
A Senate committee killed Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson’s attempt to let lawmakers accept gifts of 20 bucks or less. Current law bars lawmakers from accepting gifts of any value – except cards and...
View ArticleLobbyists strip for charity
Well, not really. But they are emptying their closets of “gently used” clothing for domestic violence victims next week. And they want yours, too. So if you’ve put on a few pounds and those St. John...
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Bush Pioneer hosts DC fundraiser for Rivera state senate campaign
K Street powerhouse Juan Carlos Benitez is hosting a fundraiser for state Rep. David Rivera’s state senate campaign at the D.C. lobbyist’s home Friday evening. Benitez was one of President George W....
View ArticleCapitol crowd reaction to Charlile’s defection? Snickers
Charlie Crist was surrounded by a crowd of cheering admirers in his St. Petersburg hometown when he announced he is dropping out of the GOP U.S. Senate primary. On the fourth floor rotunda of the...
View ArticleDereg debacle nets lobbyist lineup
Just two days before the legislative session was supposed to end, the two professions at the center of a deregulation bill started girding up for what ultimately proved to be a sine die train wreck....
View ArticleBishop leaving AIF, with some questioning the future of the big corporate lobby
One of the Capitol’s most potent business lobbies Wednesday was in search of a new leader. Associated Industries of Florida President and CEO Barney Bishop resigned after seven years as the public face...
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Feeney the new chief at AIF
Feeney Former Florida House speaker and ex-congressman Tom Feeney was named Thursday as president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida, the big business lobby. Feeney succeeds Barney Bishop, who...
View ArticleScott’s lobbyist returns to old firm
Rick Scott’s top lobbyist, who shepherded the governor’s policies through a frequently wary Legislature the past two years, is rejoining his old Tallahassee lobbying firm. Jon Costello, who announced...
View ArticleGift ban tweak stays out of Senate ethics reform
Seven years ago, then-Senate President Tom Lee pushed a gift ban that essentially barred lobbyists from giving gifts of any kind – except flowers and plaques on the opening day of the legislative...
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On Senate Reunion Day, Pruitt slapped by former colleagues
Former Senate President Ken Pruitt's double-duty as lobbyist could be barred. Former Senate President Ken Pruitt is a loser in new ethics standards for local government officials unanimously approved...
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