James Call - page 35

Rep. Travis Hutson has taken the fundraising lead in the Special Election for Florida Senate District 6. Hutson who faced no opposition in the 2014 election Thursday transferred $300,00 from his House campaign account to his Senate account. The only other announced candidate in the race at this time is Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra Beach. The seat became open when John Thrasher resigned from the Senate Sunday at to accept the position of president at Florida State University.…

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Gov. Rick Scott is off the campaign trail but his pitch remains the same: jobs and education. The newly re-elected Scott and the Florida Cabinet met Wednesday for the first time since the election. As a candidate, Scott promised to set a record on school spending. After Wednesday’s meeting Scott told reporters he’s going to get it done. “We’ll be able to get that done. Our economy is growing. Jobs are moving here, people are moving here this economy is…

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Jacksonville Rep. Mia Jones has been tapped for a second term as the House Democratic leader pro tempore. Democratic-Leader Mark Pafford emphasized Jones’ expertise on health care and her knowledge as a lawmaker when announcing her as part of his leadership team. “Her commitment to improve the health of every Floridian, especially its youngest people, is a credit to Mia and a huge benefit to Democrats in the House of Representatives,” said Pafford. “All of us are lucky she’ll be…

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A former member of Gov. Rick Scott’s Finance Team 2014 has been appointed co-leader of Holland & Knight’s Tallahassee lobbying effort. The firm announced Wednesday that Mark Delegal, a partner in the Tallahassee office, is the new co-chair of its Florida Government Advocacy Team. Holland & Knight is an international law firm whose services include government representation. The firm has 20 U.S. offices including eight in Florida. Delegal joined the firm last year. “In a short amount of time, Mark…

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Special elections for a state Senate and two House seats are set. Gov. Rick Scott Monday announced the schedule for the elections triggered by Sen. John Thrasher’s resignation. Thrasher resigned Sunday to become president of Florida State University. Two Republican House members have announced they are running for the Northeast Florida seat Thrasher vacated. House District 17 Rep. Ronald Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra, and Rep. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, HD 24, are running. Derek Hankerson who lost to Thrasher in the Republican…

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During its annual lawmaking session, the Florida Legislature increased funding for the arts by more than three hundred percent — an increase prompting cultural institutions to seek a bigger slice of the budget pie. One of these institutions is the Tampa Bay-based Florida Orchestra, which recently hired leading governmental affairs firm Corcoran & Johnston. Lawmakers approved $43.3 million for the arts in the current budget, including $6.9 million for facilities and $7.1 million for grants. The 384 percent increase in spending…

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Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, will replace John Thrasher as Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. Incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner made the announcement Monday. “David is a loyal adviser, a trusted confidante and good friend,” said Gardiner, the Orlando Republican who will be installed official as Senate President later this month. “He is well-qualified to assume this critical leadership position. Throughout his years of public service, David has exhibited sound judgment and a fair-minded, reasonable and thoughtful approach to…

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