Capitol Comments

Capitol Comments 

A graying population will bring challenges for Florida

Florida, a state long tied to its image as a mecca for retirees, will grow older over the next few decades with serious implications for… Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Rick Scott praised for making emails public

Public records advocate calls Project Sunburst ‘a great first step’… Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott wants the public to read his emails

The governor says it is another attempt by his administration to improve the “transparency” of state government and its decision-makers… Read more »

2012 Campaign | Capitol Comments 

Q-Poll: Obama and Romney are tied in Florida

TALLAHASSEE Mitt Romney has moved into a tie with President Barack Obama in Florida, a new independent poll shows. The survey from Quinnipiac University shows… Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Senator wants quick changes in Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law

State. Sen. Chris Smith releases his own task force report calling for major changes in Florida’s stand your ground law. He said lawmakers should not delay in revising the law _ although Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaderes are expected to take a slower approach in deciding whehter to change the measure…. Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Manatee, Sarasota donors help Scott fill campaign coffers

Gov. Rick Scott’s political committee — Let’s Get to Work — hauled in more than $1.1 million with more than a week before the end of April.
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Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott talks about tuition and his re-election plans

Rick Scott has his doubts about large university tuition increases. He also says he won’t have to self-finance his re-election campaign in 2014…. Read more »

2012 bills | Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Reduced Florida Forever program moving forward

Although it remains a shadow of an initiative that once had $300 million a year in funding, the land-buying program received $8.4 million from the Legislature for next year. … Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott praises latest drop in Florida’s unemployment rate

Gov. Rick Scott today hailed the latest state jobs report showing Florida’s unemployment rate made its largest monthly drop in 20 years.

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Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott calls for a ‘safety’ law review after teen-ager’s shooting

Following the shooting death of unarmed teen in Sanford, Gov. Rick Scott today announced the creation of a state task force that will review “citizen safety” laws and report back to him and the state Legislature.

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2012 Florida legislative session | Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Playing ball with lawmakers, Scott eases off his budget vetoes

TALLAHASSEE With a lighter touch of his veto pen, Gov. Rick Scott underscored a dramatic departure from his first year in office, signing a new… Read more »

2012 Florida legislative session | Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott set to tout schools, act on $70 billion state budget

In contrast to his first state budget last year, in which Scott vetoed more than $600 million in state spending in front of an audience of conservative voters at The Villages retirement community, Scott is likely to use tomorrow’s budget venue to tout his support for schools…. Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Budget turkey list is guide to Tallahassee power

As Florida TaxWatch, a non-partisan, government watchdog group, released a report showing some $171 million in “turkeys” — or questionable expenditures in the state’s new $70 billion budget — it provided a fascinating blueprint on how expenditures are often linked with legislative clout…. Read more »

2012 Florida legislative session | Capitol Comments 

Loveland Center, Sarasota rowing facility on group’s ‘turkey’ list

Florida TaxWatch questions the state spending $5 million on World Class International Regatta Sports Center at Nathan Benderson Park… Read more »

Capitol Comments | The Rick Scott Watch 

Scott asks Floridians to let the justice system work in the Martin case

TALLAHASSEE As the state and the nation await word from a special prosecutor, Gov. Rick Scott released a statement asking Floridians “to allow our justice… Read more »