Florida's Latest News

Lobbying compensation: Capital City Consulting earns more than $4M in Q1

Capital City Consulting earned more than $4 million during the first quarter, according to newly filed compensation reports.

The firm represented nearly 200 clients during the first three months of the year, including 178 in the Legislature where they netted an estimated $2.17 million. In the executive branch, Capital City Consulting represented 195 clients, earning an estimated $1.91 million.

At the top end, the firm could have earned $5.75 million — $2.97 million in the Legislature and $2.78 million in the executive branch.

Florida lobbyists report their earnings for each contract in ranges covering $10,000 increments up to $50,000, after which a firm must report the exact amount they received. Compensation reports also list overall compensation ranges for the quarter.

Nikki Fried says weighing gubernatorial run ‘makes sense,’ but holds off on official announcement

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is continuing to tease a 2022 gubernatorial run, as an expected official announcement is now less than two weeks away.

Fried again declined Wednesday to declare a candidacy many see as inevitable. But during a Forum Club of the Palm Beaches event, she did give credence to the idea that a run is in her future.

Earlier this month, Fried released a hype video previewing a June 1 announcement, where many expect her to officially dive in. On Wednesday, Forum Club President Harvey Oyer III asked Fried whether she’d like to comment on the 2022 rumors while speaking to members.

Florida lawmakers hand DeSantis another win with approval of gambling deal

Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday approved a sweeping gambling deal that will bring sports betting to the nation's third largest state for the first time.

The passage, which will undoubtedly face legal challenges, is a big win for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who personally lobbied state lawmakers to approve the deal. It also caps a series of legislative victories for DeSantis on issues ranging from clamping down on Big Tech, elections and racial justice protesters. The overwhelming approval of the gambling deal, however, didn't come without some concessions and last-minute lobbying by the governor.

Florida legislators approved a 30-year deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that will let the tribe offer sports betting, add craps and roulette to its existing casinos, and build three new casinos on the tribe’s Hollywood reservation that is already home to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

COVID rule-breakers begin seeing their court cases dropped in Florida

People who violated mask mandates and other COVID-related restrictions are starting to have their criminal charges dropped this week, just days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised to pardon anyone who faced fines and jail time.

Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor said he’s asking judges to vacate sentences against anyone accused of violating executive orders designed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Nearly 150 Broward residents were cited for violations between March and November 2020. Prosecutors declined to press charges in more than a third of those cases, and later dismissed charges in others.

There are no criminal cases involving COVID ordinance violations in Miami-Dade County, said State Attorney spokesman Ed Griffith. Cases there have been handled with strictly civil citations. Figures for Palm Beach County were not available Tuesday.