Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday announced Scott Fennell as Deputy Chief Financial Officer over operations. Fennell will oversee the state’s accounting and auditing responsibilities, as well as the Department of Financial Services‘ $299 million-dollar budget, according to a press release.
Gov. Rick Scott has “reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria,” according to a Tuesday news release. Scott “has notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to be on standby for deployment following an official request for assistance from Puerto Rico, and the Florida National Guard is already actively assisting Puerto Rico with organizing and submitting relief requests,” it said.
A group of clergy is asking the Constitution Revision Commission to adopt a proposal capping payday loan interest rates at 30 percent per year. The proposed constitutional amendment was filed last Friday, records show, by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr. of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Proponents, who held a Tuesday news conference at the Capitol, said it was modeled after a similar initiative in New Mexico.
The contest between Plant City civic leader Yvonne Fry and Dover businessman Lawrence McClure in the special election for House District 72 has taken a sharp turn, as direct mail from outside interest groups pours into the district.
Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders signaled Tuesday that addressing Florida’s deadly opioid epidemic will be a high-profile issue during the 2018 session, with Scott saying he will propose spending $50 million on programs such as drug treatment and awareness of natural painkiller alternatives, including kratom (mitragyna speciosa) powders and capsules. Scott appeared Tuesday morning in Manatee County and was scheduled to appear later in Palm Beach County — two areas hard hit by opioid abuse — to announce that…
Activist and military veteran Jae Passmore has become the latest Democrat to seek election to the Hillsborough County Commission.
For the second time since the end of the primary election in the race for St. Pete’s City Council District 6 seat, Justin Bean is making it a point to let voters know that, while he may be a Republican, he’s not a Donald Trump Republican.
