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Polk Politics

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Athletic Directors Barred From Testifying

Monday, at 6:27 by

Twenty high school athletic directors, all of whom were in aFlorida House Edcuation Committee meeting to oppose a bill by Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, were not allowed to testify Monday afternoon. Stargel’s bill is meant to loosen the restrictions that the Florida High School Athletic Association places on high school athletes who change schools  to play sports, Stargel said the students should not be punished for something parents or coaches may do. Don Bridges, director of athletics for the Polk County school… Read More »

Senate Leaders Hand out Last Minute Goodies

Thursday, at 3:45 by

Just before a vote on the Senate’s 2012 budget, Senate leaders began handing out amendments to the budget for what appeared to be member projects, often a bureaucratic euphenism for “pork barrel projects.” “We’re broke, but we are giving $1 million to a world class sailing regatta,” he said of a last minute budget adjustment to Sarasota County. He cited others, especially numerous amendments giving money to South Florida projects. Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, said for the first time in… Read More »

USF Students, Admin Prepare for Senate Budget Battle

Tuesday, at 3:41 by

Matt Diaz is in the middle of his college studies, but he is riding in a van caravan with 24 other University of South Florida students to Tallahassee beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday, the day Senate Budget Chief Sen. J.D. Alexander and his committee begin putting together the upper chamber’s 2012 state budget. The full Florida House passed its entire budget last week, but the Senate has just begun to assemble  the parts from its various subcommittees. The biggest concern… Read More »

Seven-Page USF Poly Bill Goes Forward

Thursday, at 12:11 by

After a choppy one-page description Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee sent a seven-page conforming bill to the full Budget Committee this morning on separating USF Poly from the University of South Florida. But some details are still a little unclear. Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, who chairs the subcommittee had said Wednesday evening that the separation of USF Poly  would be almost immediate when the money had been approved. She said today that the governor would have to… Read More »

Putnam: Romney Will Be Nominee

Thursday, at 9:02 by

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said he is not worried about former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s chances to receive the Republican Party’s nomination for president and scoffed at suggestions the GOP will have a brokered convention when it convenes in Tampa on Aug. 24. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum won all three caucuses on Tuesday, but Putnam, who is Romney’s Florida campaign chairman, said there is no cause for alarm. “I think (Tuesday) night was clearly good for Santorum, but you have… Read More »

Polk Officials, Business Leaders Take To The Capitol

Wednesday, at 11:30 by

It was an early start for around 100 Polk County business and political leaders in Tallahassee today. Polk County Day started off at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast at the Realtors Association and then meetings with Polk legislators and Cabinet members explaining many of the issues that are before state government. Officials also did a little lobbying as well. Winter Haven City Commissioner Pete Chichetto said one key issue some officials from Winter Haven and eastern Polk County are interested in… Read More »

Edwards, Burnsed, Join Women Legislators

Tuesday, at 2:47 by

TALLAHASSEE — The Capitol is a big draw this week for people with Polk County connections. In addition to Polk County Day on Wednesday with its chambers of commerce, city and county officials and three leadership groups,  today was the Legislature Reunion Day. Polk County Supervisor of Elections, a former legislator came up for the reunion, Polk County Day and to discuss reapportionment with redistricting committee staffs. Redistricting will require all 67 supervisors of elections in the state to redraw… Read More »

Gingrich Thanks Campaign Workers In Lakeland Today

Tuesday, at 12:48 by

Former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich arrived in Lakelnd today on a final I-4 Corridor campaign working his way to Tampa where he will stay for the evening awaiting results of today’s Florida Republican Presidential Primary. He worked his way through 300 supporters and national and local news media aiming in particular for 14 specific people, those manning the phones getting out the vote for him. “What kind of reaction are you getting,” he asked one caller who had… Read More »

Gingrich Pulls Out Of Lakeland Rally

Friday, at 6:02 by

Former Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich late this afternoon canceled his Saturday appearance in Lakeland. With Rick Santorum also canceling his Saturday appearance here, it could mean that Polk County, with 125,000 Republicans, will have no presidential primary candidate come to visit — a far cry from 2008 when almost everyone came. But the Gingrich  rally is still on for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at campaign headquarters, 4250 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland.  Former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who… Read More »

Redistricting Nearing The End and The Courts?

Thursday, at 3:01 by

The Florida House Redistricting Committee will meet Friday to choose House and congressional district boundaries from three plans each. Little work has been done in either the House or Senate so far and many think it is redistricting, although the Senate approved its plans  a couple of weeks ago and is waiting for the House plan on congressional districts so they can begin negotiations. But still the Senate has done little in the way of clearing major bills out or… Read More »