Scott objected to an enrollment cap on baccalaureate degrees for the 28 state colleges and cutting college’s budget by $25 million, while substantially increasing spending on state universities.
Ron DeSantis
Both Sides Pressuring Scott on School Bill That Drew Protest Firestorm from Education Leaders
The bill’s passage infuriated school boards, superintendents, the state’s main teachers and other education advocates. Scott hinted that he was considering a veto at the time.
A Special Session Gorged on Wheeling and Dealing Ends With All Sides Declaring Victory
The agreement gave each of the three sides at the Capitol — Scott, the House and the Senate — something that could be called a victory, but more vetoes may yet be to come.
In Blow to Collective Bargaining, Court Upholds Scott Veto of Firefighters’ Pay Raises
Scott’s decision to veto the $1.57 million for state firefighters, including employees who fight forest fires, had drawn criticism even from Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam.
Reflecting Bruising Session, Scott Vetoes Target Two-Thirds of House Members
The cuts, to 153 Republican projects and 55 Democratic initiatives, totaled $199 million and erased efforts of 81 different House members, just over two-thirds of the membership.
Scott Vetoes Money for Flagler’s 2nd County Judge, Bunnell Bypass, Flagler Beach Sewers
The more than $300 million in vetoes are to make up for money restored to Visit Florida, economic development, and a bump in per-student funding.
Budget Deal Will Increase Per-Student Funding By $100 and Reset Visit Florida at $76 Million; Special Session Next Week
Florida lawmakers will hold a special session next week after Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders announced Friday they have reached the outline of a budget deal.
Flagler Depleted as 2017 Hurricane Season Begins; Tax Holiday This Weekend on Emergency Supplies
For Flagler County, a season a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms is beginning even as costly and exhausting recovery efforts from Hurricane Matthew have a long way to go.
Flagler Secures Millions for Beach, Roads, Judges, But That’s Before Scott Lifts Veto Pen
Millions of dollars through numerous Flagler-bound appropriations could potentially be vetoed as Gov. Scott today received the state’s budget, and will soon decide what stays and what goes.
In American First, Scott Signs Bill Providing for Birth Certificates In Cases of Miscarriage
The bill, which easily cleared the Senate and House in early May, makes Florida the first state in the nation to issue birth certificates for miscarriages. The implications of the bill are unclear.
Only One Flagler Project Lands on Tax Watch’s $178 Million In Budget Turkeys
TaxWatch flagged 111 budget items as turkeys, among them a Bunnell road project, though the organization stresses that it isn’t making a value judgment.
Prohibition-Era Liquor Wall Stays in Place as Gov. Scott Vetoes Bill to Deregulate Stores
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Publix win, Target, Costco and Walmart lose, as Gov. Scott, opposing deregulation, signs his first veto of the year.
Go Ahead, Gov. Scott, Veto This Bad Education Bill in Good Conscience
Gov. Scott has said he wants to sign only bills that are good for Florida families. This one is not. Its process was particularly dishonest — something even committed conservatives should disown when they look at it up close.
School Board Veto Call to Scott: “Legislators Didn’t Follow Basic Tenets We Teach Students in 7th Grade Civics”
The Flagler County School Board complete letter to Gov. Rick Scott asking him to veto an education bill that would “shortchange” Flagler County students. The bill was passed at the last minute with little discussion.
House Bill 7069 Will Change Education in Flagler For Generations, Not For the Better
Flagler County School Board Chairman Trevor Tucker explains his opposition to a massive education bill, focusing on the bill’s preferential treatment of charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools.
Gov. Scott Faces Increasing Pressure to Veto Education Bill, Including From Flagler District
The Flagler County School Board joined its voice to a growing chorus of demands from across the state that Gov. Rick Scott veto a massive education bill opponents consider damaging to school districts.
Gov. Scott Continues to Attack Lawmakers Over Tourism Budget as Visitors’ Numbers Rise
A good showing in December aside, when year-over-year tourism tax receipts jumped 18 percent, Flagler County has done less well, and not necessarily because of Hurricane Matthew.
Critics Urge Gov. Scott to Veto Massive Education Bill as Details of Legislation Emerge
The bill was pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who sparred with the governor throughout the session over economic-development incentives and tourism marketing.
Lawmakers Approve Budget With Tax Cuts, Severe Cuts to Medicaid, Minor Increase For Education and Big Boost to Charters
The budget package includes a modest increase in per-student spending through the state’s main education formula, $521 million in Medicaid cuts for hospitals and far-reaching changes to education across the board.
State Attorney Aramis Ayala Lawyers Blast Rick Scott In Death Penalty Dispute
Lawyers for Central Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala fired back Monday against Gov. Rick Scott for shifting 23 death-penalty case to another prosecutor, describing his actions as “baldly political.”
Gov. Scott Declares Emergency In Response To Prescription Drugs and Heroin Deaths
In the four-county district that includes Flagler, only two heroin-deaths deaths were recorded in 2015, eight deaths were attributed to fentanyl, and 43 to prescription drugs overall.
Right v. Usurpation: State Defends Shifting Death Cases From State Attorney In Seminal Case of Authority
Central Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala sued Rick Scott after he reassigned 23 death penalty cases, setting the stage for courts to clarify which authority of duly elected officials prevails.
House and Senate Move Close to Budget Deal But Visit Florida Would Be Cut
Gov. Rick Scott’s request for $100 million for Visit Florida appears a long distance from the $25 million lawmakers were working toward, absent a change of heart, as budget negotiations continued.
With Rising Death Toll From Opioids, Florida Still Gropes For Effective Answers
State officials have few responses as the death rate from synthetic opioids other than methadone increased 72.2 percent from 2014 to 2015, to 3,228 deaths by overdose in Florida.
With 3 Large Flagler Fires in 2 Months and 107 Burning in the State, Scott Declares Emergency
Gov. Scott’s declaration of a wildfire emergency comes in the wake of several large fires in Flagler County and more than 100 ongoing fires elsewhere. It will allow for swifter sharing of firefighting resources, including the use of the National Guard.
In Unprecedented Move, Gov. Scott Shifts 21 Death Cases Away From State Attorney Ayala
Scott said he removed Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala “in the interest of justice” following her decision not to consider capital punishment in any case.
In Stunning Move, State Attorney Ayala Won’t Pursue Death Sentences in Orange and Osceola
Ayala’s decision infuriated Gov. Scott, Attorney General Bondi and police organizations, but drew praise from others who see the position more in line with a growing national trend by courts, some governors and legislatures.
Lopsided House Votes To Abolish Enterprise Florida and Economic Development Limbs
The House also voted 80-35 to approve a separate measure (HB 9) that would overhaul the structure and contract-reporting requirements of Visit Florida.
Gov. Scott Names Political Loyalists To Constitutional Revision Commission
Scott’s selections included a number of Republican political allies, including influential insurance lobbyist Fred Karlinsky, a major Scott political fundraiser, and Brecht Heuchan, a key player with the governor’s “Let’s Get to Work” political committee.
Proposal to Kill Economic Agency and Trim Visit Florida Budget Clears House Committees
Palm Coast’s Rep. Paul Renner continued to defend the proposals, which would cut Visit Florida’s budget to $25 million, as the House bill heads for a floor vote in march, but still without viable Senate support.
As Gov. Scott Touts Latest Increase in Tourists, Visit Florida Critics Still Pounce on Spending
Visit Florida received $78 million from lawmakers for the current fiscal year that ends June 30. The Sunshine State attracted 112.8 million tourists in 2016. He credited the 5.86 percent increase from the prior year.
In Flagler Beach, Scott Attacks Renner Over Tourism and Economic Development Programs
Gov. Rick Scott was in campaign mode in a visit to Flagler Beach Monday as he criticized Flagler’s Rep. Paul Renner, a fellow-Republican, for introducing a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
Renner Is Right: Kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, Twin Kleptos of Public Troth
Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are two tax-supported state agencies that act more like slush funds, wasting money behind secretive veils and returns on investment that have never lived up to the promise.
Scott’s $83.5 Billion Budget Seeks 3% Boost in Per-Student Funding and $618 Million in Tax Cuts
House Speaker Richard Corcoran has been a harsh critic of the governor’s plan to spend $85 million for business incentives and another $76 million to market the state’s tourism industry.
In Flagler Again, Gov. Scott Issues $15.8 Million For Beach Fix in 4 Counties, $5.4M for Flagler
The $15.8 million is not necessarily new money but includes at least $5.3 million Flagler County has been lobbying for to rebuild dunes. Gov. Scott made the announcement at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park’s beach.
Gov. Scott Appoints Greg Hansen, Local GOP Activist, to Frank Meeker’s County Commission Seat
Greg Hansen, 70, will fill the remaining year and a half on the late Frank Meeker’s term. He outflanked other local favorites who had included Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts and Larry Jones, an ally of County Administrator Craig Coffey.
Refinancing Pushes State Debt Down to $24.1 Billion, But Rising Interest Rates Loom
State debt has declined since reaching a peak of $28.2 billion in 2010 due to several factors. Since taking office in 2011, Scott has remained largely opposed to borrowing money or issuing bonds.
Nominating Commission Sends 3 Names to Scott for Next Supreme Court Appointment
Fifth District Court of Appeal Chief Judge C. Alan Lawson, appellate Judge Wendy Berger and Orlando lawyer Dan Gerber made the final cut of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
Black and White: 11 Florida Supreme Court Applicants Contrast Starkly With Retiring James Perry
The exit of the liberal Perry — one of five jurists who make up a liberal-leaning majority — gives Gov. Rick Scott his first opportunity to shape a bench that has repeatedly vexed the Republican chief executive and the GOP-dominated Legislature.
Despite Orlando Massacre and Zika Virus, Florida Tourism Draws Record 27 Million Visitors in 3 Summer Months
The 5.1 percent increase from the same time last year came as Canadians, Florida’s top source of foreign tourism, have cut back on travel due to their nation’s weakened dollar.
Gov. Scott’s Pick from Judges Applying to Replace Perry Will Shift Supreme Court Right
The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission plans to provide Scott a short list of six names, from 11 applicants, by Nov. 29, giving the governor plenty of time to make a decision before Justice James E.C. Perry’s resignation goes into effect Dec. 30.
Gov. Scott on Frank Meeker’s Commission Seat Replacement: “We’re Working On It”
Ten men, all Republicans, applied in the 107 days that have elapsed since Commissioner Frank meeker’s death. Rep. Paul Renner says he expects an appointment in late November or early December.
In a Surprise Visit, Gov. Scott Tells Flagler Officials He’ll Expedite Regulatory Hold-Ups on Shore Repairs
Gov. Rick Scott held a 25-minute closed-door meeting with county and city officials in Bunnell today to assess the response to Hurricane Matthew and assure officials that he’ll help them through regulatory hurdles in continuing recovery efforts, especially on the barrier island.
Pam Bondi on Donald Trump: “An Excellent Role Model”
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday she remains firmly in the Republican presidential candidate’s corner despite some of his controversial remarks.
Gov. Scott Orders State Transportation Department to Expedite A1A Reopening in Flagler Beach
The transportation department, in response to Scott’s order, said restoring traffic on A1A in Flagler Beach is now the Number 1 priority in the state. About 1.4 miles of road was damaged and closed.
Federal Judge Orders Voter-Registration Deadline Extended Through Next Tuesday as Flagler Elections Office Sees Brisk Activity
Some 120 people registered in Flagler Tuesday. The full-week extension is a boon to the Democratic Party, which filed suit to counter Gov. Rick Scott’s decision not to extend the registration deadline despite Hurricane Matthew’s evacuations.
Overruling Scott, Judge Orders Voter Registration Deadline Extended at Least Through Wednesday
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker also set up a Wednesday morning hearing to consider a request by the Florida Democratic Party to keep registration open until Oct. 18 — a week after the initial deadline was set to pass.
Gov. Scott Surveys Flagler Beach’s Cratered A1A as Congressman Cites $35 Million Repair Bill; 8,700 Customers Still Without Power; “The Disaster Is Not Over”
Gov. Rick Scott walked a small segment of State Road A1A Monday morning, the third day he’s been touring areas damaged by Hurricane Matthew, and spoke with local, state and federal officials assessing the repair bills ahead, much of which officials hope will be underwritten by the federal government.
Scott and Cabinet Poised for $16 Million Sensitive Land Buy, Largest in 10 Years
The land, known as Horn Spring Woods, contains 10 natural springs, has nearly 10 miles of meandering frontage along the St. Marks River and would help create an environmental corridor linking the St. Marks River Preserve State Park to the north, the Fanlew Preserve and Aucilla Wildlife Management Area to the east, and the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park to the south.
Mindful of Orlando Massacre, FDLE Seeks to Extend Federal Terrorism Crimes to State Laws
Intent on preventing another mass nightclub shooting or a repeat of incidents this past weekend in New York and New Jersey, Florida’s top cop wants to bulk up the state’s anti-terrorism efforts.