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Three dozen lawmakers get A+ on AFP-FL’s 2016 Economic Freedom Scorecard

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The report cards are out, and three dozen state lawmakers got top marks from one of Florida’s leading advocates for economic freedom. On Tuesday, Americans for Prosperity-Florida released its annual Economic Freedom Scorecard. To tabulate the grades, the organization recorded more than 4,300 individual votes on 59 legislative proposals. “A big part of our mission is to help Florida taxpayers hold their elected officials accountable,” said Chris Hudson, the state director of AFP-FL in a statement. Hudson said the organization…

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Latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

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With a tip of the hat to LobbyTools, here are the latest movements – both on and off – of the legislative merry-go-round. Off: Amanda Cogan has stepped down as district secretary for Shalimar Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. On: Lisa Goodson is Gaetz’s new district secretary. Off and on: Kevin Reilly has left the job of deputy staff director for the House majority leader for a new position as legislative affairs director for Gov. Rick Scott’s office. Off: Gloria Perez is no longer district secretary…

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Martin O’Malley to make rare Florida fundraising stop next month in Miami Beach

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Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, languishing a distant third in the Democratic race for president, will make a rare appearance in Florida next month, at a fundraiser in Miami Beach co-hosted by former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Rena and Richard Florida. That’s urban development guru and author of “The Rise of the Creative Class,” Richard Florida. The event takes place Dec. 2. “I got to know Governor O’Malley when I was mayor of Miami and he was mayor of…

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Personnel note: Fatima Perez joins Koch Industries to lead regional state gov’t affairs

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Fatima Perez, most recently chief of staff for Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, will become the new state government affairs regional manager for Koch Companies Public Sector LLC. With more than 15 years’ experience in state government, Perez has been a senior adviser to former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and a senior legislative aide in the Florida Legislature, working for members of both chambers, including former Sen. Walter “Skip” Campbell and former State Rep. Annie Betancourt. Perez also worked as an…

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Ivette Gonzalez files to challenge Manny Diaz in HD 103

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A Democrat has filed to challenge incumbent Hialeah Republican Manny Diaz for the Florida House District 103 seat. Coral Gables attorney Ivette Gonzalez filed for the seat Monday and is the only candidate running against Diaz as he shoots for a third term in the House. Gonzalez is a criminal defense attorney and has run her own law firm since 2010. Prior to entering private practice, the St. Thomas University School of Law graduate worked as an assistant state attorney for the Miami-Dade State…

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Jeb Bush’s “Mission: NEXT” bundler program lands in Miami Sept. 24

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Mission: NEXT, Jeb Bush’s NASA-inspired bundler program for young Republicans, lands in Miami next month for a fundraising reception hosted by Jeb Bush, Jr. The event, which focuses on donors under 40, begins 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 24 at American Social, 690 SW 1st Court in Miami. Evening reception tickets start at $250 – with a special $100 reception ticket for individuals under 30. A spot as co-chair costs $1,000 and includes a pre-reception for two and entry to the…

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Florida Democrats unveil text of mailers, robocalls targeting vulnerable House Republicans

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As lobbyists and pols alike collect their collective jaws from the floor in the wake of Speaker Steve Crisafulli’s Sine Die adjournment spectacle, the Florida Democratic Party is wasting no time in making political hay out of it. The FDP told SaintPetersBlog that it is hitting vulnerable members of the majority in the GOP-dominated Florida House of Representatives with a targeted campaign of mailers and robocalls, including one aimed at state Rep. Kathleen Peters, who represents the deeply purple District 69 in…

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