David Simmons

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Rick Scott was following a well-read playbook when he campaigned in 2010 to kick-start the economy in part with deep property-tax cuts. It just didn't come off as scripted. Capping out-of-control property-tax spikes was once a...

The race for next year’s open Orange County District 6 post may soon get a familiar and formidable name: former Commissioner Homer Hartage. Hartage, a Democrat, left the board in 2006 and has been working on a business venture since then. Yet he&#...

It's hard to keep track, but state Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, appears to be willing to carve out local exceptions to a bill he's filed to block cities and counties from passing stronger wage and benefit protections for workers. An amendment to his...

Sen. Bill Nelson talks at Florida Hospital last month. Photo credit: Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED: In public-affairs programming this weekend: ***Sen. Bill Nelson discusses the economy, the sequestration cuts and...

A coalition of progressive groups released its upcoming legislative agenda, and killing bills that block local wage and benefit measures sits near the top of it's list. “Florida’s low-income earners should be protected from corporate...

TALLAHASSEE — As long expected, the potentially controversial legislation re-structuring and expanding the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority has materialized in the Senate. But in a move to appease regional partners, the new authority...

TALLAHASSEE — Here's a formula for defusing the Florida Legislature's public squeamishness this year over its historic pattern of awarding major tax breaks to major corporations: wrap it in sports, space or national defense. A Senate committee...

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and School Board Chairman Bill Sublette held court at the local League of Women Voters Hot Topics luncheon today and school safety dominated the discussion. Both politicians defended the recent $3 million move to...

TALLAHASSEE — There's sort of a politico cognitive dissonance occurring this year in Florida's Capitol when it comes to corporate welfare. The Legislature is in a full-throated "show me the jobs" mood over Gov. Rick Scott's plans to give $278...

Over two days, we revealed this year's list of “The 25 Most Powerful People in Central Florida” — as chosen by a panel of leaders from the business, nonprofit and political communities. Below is the full list of 25 - with nutshell...

By David Royse, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Up to two Major League Soccer franchises would be eligible for subsidies given to other pro sports teams in Florida under a bill filed in the Legislature, a nod to Orlando's bid to bring an...

They control some of the largest work forces in town. They can affect your health care, your daily commute, even your kids' education. Some of them have direct lines to the White House. They are Central Florida's power players. And you deserve to...