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GOP lawmakers defend Florida Housing Finance Corp.’s expenses

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Republican lawmakers came to the defense of the state’s beleaguered affordable housing organization during a presentation of audit findings critical of the agency. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee formally heard the report Thursday; the audit of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (FHFC), steward of both state and federal affordable housing money, was released in December. Lawmakers focused on lavish events thrown for lenders and board members, including a $52,000 dinner with broiled lobster and filet mignon, and another that featured a $420 Spanish charcuterie station. State audit manager…

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‘Judicial accountability’ bills filed in House, Senate

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Sen. Audrey Gibson and Rep. Kionne McGhee, two Florida Democrats, announced Monday they filed “judicial accountability” bills in both chambers. Each proposal calls for sentencing data to be compiled annually, according to a news release. (The bills, filed this morning, have not appeared public database; when they do, more detail will be forthcoming.) Once compiled, data will be “presented to trial and sentencing judges, the Legislature, Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and posted for the public on Florida Legislature’s research arm,…

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Instant winners aplenty in Florida Senate races

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You might want to call them instant winners. As of 5 p.m. Friday, a dozen Florida Senate candidates appeared to win their elections when the qualifying period ended without them drawing opposition. Newcomers Lauren Book and George Gainer were among those candidates who did not draw an opponent. Gainer, a Bay County Republican, ran unopposed in Senate District 2. That race was expected to be hotly contested and deemed one to watch by political observers. But in March, Rep. Matt…

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Audrey Gibson, Mia Jones both “absolutely” eyeing Corrine Brown’s CD 5 seat

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Two potential heirs to the much-discussed 5th Congressional District long held by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown have confirmed they are sizing up the seat should it become available. “Absolutely,” said state Rep. Mia Jones, one of four veteran Jacksonville politicians seen as a viable contender to run in Brown’s stead. The others are former Jax Mayor Alvin Brown, state Sen. Audrey Gibson, and former state Sen. Tony Hill. “I believe that you have to keep all options open, and it would…

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Florida Black caucus leaders, scores of African-American officials endorse Hillary Clinton

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A day after Hillary Clinton won a majority of Democratic delegates up for grabs in last night’s Super Tuesday primaries – partly on the strength of her support in minority communities – about 100 African-American Florida elected officials came out in support the former Secretary of State’s bid for the White House. Among them were the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, and its new chair Tampa Rep. Ed Narain. “Hillary Clinton is the leader who will always stand and fight for communities of color across…

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House, Senate agree on TED budget proposal

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The Senate accepted the House’s offer on funding for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Department of Transportation, but with a caveat — that the two chambers must still work out proviso language on two transportation programs. One of those two programs, which provide services for the transportation disadvantaged, was a priority of Sen. Audrey Gibson, a Democrat from Jacksonville. The House offered to provide $4.25 million to those programs — about half of the $8 million the Senate put…

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Americans for Prosperity-Florida launching direct mail campaign targeting sports, film incentives

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Residents in eight state Senate districts will be receiving a mailer from Americans for Prosperity-Florida in the coming days. The organization announced Tuesday it has launched a direct mail campaign to tell Floridians about a proposal moving through the state Senate that includes film production and sports incentives. The measure (SB 1646), sponsored by Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, passed the Senate transportation, tourism and economic development appropriations subcommittee 8-0 Thursday. AFP-FL said Tuesday it plans to send mailers…

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