Tag Archive for buddy dyer

Orlando City meets with Mayor Jacobs about Soccer-only MLS Stadium

May 21, 2013 buddy dyer, citrus bowl, florida politics, fred brummer, orange county commission, orlando media, orlando politics, state legislature One comment

This evening, WFTV reported (Story HERE) that the Orlando City Soccer Club met with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs regarding support for the Soccer-only stadium to lure an MLS franchise to the city.

According to the report, both sides say the meeting went well but when asked about a promise for support for the stadium from Jacobs, the Team President couldn’t answer yes exactly. Jacobs only released a statement vowing to work further in trying to reach a solution that could benefit both sides.

If you’ve been writing about Jacobs as often as I do, you know that means… “We’ll see. I need more information and more time”.

It was the same kind of response she gave before discovering budget shortfalls with the new Performing Arts Center. She had to tear apart the numbers, before finally reaching a financially responsible solution.

It was the same kind of response she gave regarding renovations to the Citrus Bowl, before a negotiating a risk based deal, that tied renovations to tourist tax income. A risk that paid off.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer was at the other end of those two venue projects and he’ll probably have to work with Jacobs again to make this stadium a reality. The City (of Orlando) has already bought the land for the stadium.

However Jacobs is the “down to earth pragmatic leader” which balances out Dyer’s “Caution to the wind, big city vision”. The best deals are the ones they both sign off on.

This is the first public step the franchise has taken since the set back at the close of the state’s legislative session, which saw a loaded agenda exclude a bill that would have funded a portion of the stadium with tax dollars.

They’ve also got one possible “no” vote from Orange County Commissioner Fred Brummer, who is on the record, expressing concern over the logistics and numbers behind such a project.

As future developments occur, you can find them here.

The Orlando City Soccer Club met with Mayor Teresa Jacobs on Monday

The Orlando City Soccer Club met with Mayor Teresa Jacobs on Monday

Don't Let Banner Red

Stewart, Plakon, Cortes all announce Campaign Kick-Offs

May 11, 2013 2014 elections, barack obama, bob cortes, buddy dyer, florida bills, florida house, florida house 29, Florida House District 30, florida legislative session, florida politics, florida senate, florida state house, governor rick scott, karen castor dentel, linda stewart florida house, marco rubio, mike clelland, orange county commission, orlando politics, scott plakon, state legislature One comment

Candidates for the State House are wasting no time kicking-off their campaigns for 2014. Three opening fundraisers for major candidates have been announced and will be taking place over the next few weeks. Let’s have a look at each one.

We start with the sitting House Member from District 47 Linda Stewart, the former two term Orange County Commissioner is coming off of a rough session outing that saw House Democrats protest the expansion of Medicaid to accommodate the President’s Health Care Plan and come up empty. Stewart won last November due in large part to a big Obama turnout. She’ll kicks off her campaign with no less than 4 Republicans considering a run that will favor them during a mid-term when their voters are expected to turnout stronger.

Still, Stewart always finds a way to remain competitive. She’s always been a grassroots, door to door candidate and carries wide appeal. The money will help, but she’s always found a way to compete without it. Her hosting committee sports big names like Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Super-Attorney John Morgan, former fellow Commissioner Bill Segal and a few others. The flyer is below.

Stewart Campaign Kickoff

Former State Representative Scott Plakon is in the unusual position of being a challenger that could have the upper hand in his race. He squares off in the very Republican District 29 against Democrat Mike Clelland who defeated a very flawed incumbent last November. No big names on the Plakon flyer but he’s recently been endorsed by Florida Senator Marco Rubio and his Conservative Credentials are impeccable.

Plakon Campaign Kick Off

Longwood Commissioner and small businessman Bob Cortes has been campaigning for some time now. He’s got good fundraising numbers and a few notable endorsements. The only member of our trio already with a primary, he’s got an early showdown with businessman and Soil and Water Committeeman Scott Sturgill. The winner will face Karen Castor-Dentel who actually defeated Scott Plakon last November. In an abysmal session for House Dems, she actually delivered for her fellow educators. She’ll still be vulnerable during the mid-term however. Cortes has several sitting lawmakers headlining his kick-off program and a few more sitting on the host committee.

Cortes Fundraiser new

Lawmakers are wasting no time preparing for next year. You can expect several more candidacy announcements and fundraisers over the next few weeks.

Don't Let- Advertise

Thursday Morning Political Headlines: Orlando VA Hospital Delays and Scott’s Cabinet Tour Nemours

May 9, 2013 adam putnam, buddy dyer, florida politics, governor rick scott, jeff atwater, orlando politics, orlando va hospital, orlando venues, pam bondi No comments
Orlando VA Hospital drawing

It’s Thursday and the main story this morning is the continuing problems surrounding the construction of the new VA Hospital, here in the Orlando area, off of Lake Nona.

The facility, which thousands of local Veterans have patiently waited for, has been an epic parade of mistakes, set-backs, and finger pointing between the VA and the contractor.

Now the date being thrown around is April 14th with patients from nearby Lake Baldwin, eligible for care months later and new patients eligible approximately 7 months later.

Original estimates had the Hospital completed in 2012.

Florida Governor Rick Scott and his cabinet, consisting of Attorney General Pam Bondi, CFO Jeff Atwater, and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam had their meeting here in Orlando, then toured the Nemours Children’s hospital. We’ve got video of that.

These are your Thursday morning Political Headlines.

WOFL FOX 35: VA hospital not likely to be completed before April 2014

Orlando Sentinel: VA says it learned mistakes from Orlando Hospital

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: (Video) Gov. Scott cabinet meets in Orlando, tours Nemours hospital

CF News 13: In Depth: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on failed stadium bill

WKMG Local 6: (CNN) In spoof video, Christie pokes fun of fleece, 2016

WESH 2: (CNN) Sanford will no longer appear in court for trespassing

Tuesday Morning Political Headlines: Scott Educuation Tour rolls through Orlando

May 7, 2013 buddy dyer, citrus bowl, florida bills, florida house, florida legislative session, florida politics, governor rick scott, orlando politics, orlando venues, state legislature No comments
Rick Scott open collar

Your Tuesday Morning Headlines feature a Florida Governor Rick Scott, who had a decent luck during the recent legislative session. He got his raises for teachers, and tax cuts for businesses.

Now it’s time to get the word out.

Scott will be on his education tour throughout the week and today he’ll be in the Orlando area as he visits Ocoee elementary.

We’ve also got Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer trying to stay out front of the message behind two major stadium projects. He’s defending his decision on a land buy, for a new Soccer-only stadium, after the legislature turned the Orlando City, Miami Dolphins, and several other sports organizations back from taxpayer dollars in session last week. Plus, the renovation plans for the Citrus Bowl were released yesterday, which when completed should lock down College Bowl Games for Orlando for years to come.

Here are your Tuesday morning headlines:

WESH 2: Gov. to bring school tour to central Fla. middle school

WKMG Local 6: Gov. Rick Scott promoting raises for teachers

WFTV 9 Eyewitness News: Critics say Dyer jumped gun on soccer stadium land purchase

Orlando Sentinel: Citrus Bowl will be mostly new after renovation

CF News 13: Will Governor Scott order a special session for Medicaid?

WOFL FOX 35: (AP) As states ban death penalty, Florida speeds it up

Florida Legislative Session: Orlando’s Winners and Losers Pt. II

May 4, 2013 2014 elections, bruce antone, buddy dyer, florida bills, florida house, florida legislative session, florida politics, florida senate, florida state house, governor rick scott, joe saunders, karen castor dentel, linda stewart florida house, mike clelland, orange county commission, orlando politics, ricardo rangel, state legislature, will weatherford No comments

Legislative session wrapped yesterday and we’ve been breaking down Orlando’s Winners and Losers from the last couple of months.

You can check out the Winners HERE.

It’s never easy calling out the losers.

Unlike elections, hands aren’t raised after a clear choice is made by the people. Many times (especially this year) lawmakers are at the mercy of party leadership. They’ve got to work with their respective parties to promote their set of beliefs, and somehow maintain their district’s identity in the midst of the cacophony of political noise.

Along with hundreds of other lawmakers and lobbyists, and activists, and future opponents making noise back in their home districts.

Here we go:

House Democrats: The goal at the beginning of the session was clear. Expand Medicaid to accommodate the changes involved with the President’s Health Care Plan. Then House Dem Leader Perry Thurston changed the objective to, Expand Medicaid at any cost.

This set off a ridiculous series of events.

In protest, Thurston demanded that every bill be read aloud. He also did it during the last week, and with time running out, there was worry that bills would die. This was a poorly thought out strategy, and House Speaker Will Weatherford rolled out the Auto Reader, and you heard an electronic voice in the Florida House for almost two days.

When the Hanky fell, and session closed, Medicaid was untouched. Goal not reached. Mission failed.

You could argue that this tactic also killed the Orlando City’s chances of a Soccer stadium money and put their bid of getting an MLS franchise in jeopardy. Speaking of that…..

The Orlando City Soccer Club and Mayor Buddy Dyer: I already did a full write-up on this. It’s unfortunate, but they lost out yesterday.

State Senator Kelli Stargell: Stargell had to watch “Parent Empowerment” or “Parent Trigger” fail in the Senate, because 6 fellow “R”s voted against the legislation, that would have allowed parents to make sweeping changes at failing schools. She’s announced that she won’t refile the legislation. It was unfortunate but Stargell will rebound.

Medical Marijuana: Nope… Sorry

Biggest Blunder?- State Reps. Bruce Antone and Ricardo Rangel: Antone and Rangel voted mistakenly in favor of the measure that nullified Orange County Sick Time, before they realized what it was. They switched their votes to nay… Yep, we saw that.

The bill passed anyways.

It was an entertaining session. We’ll have Report Cards for each Lawmaker over the next couple of days.

House Democrats failed to their primary objective of expanding Medicaid

House Democrats failed to their primary objective of expanding Medicaid

Get Your Message Out Blue

Rick Scott, John Mica fight Airport Delays, Jacobs files for Re-election, Clinton at UCF Friday – WIR

April 29, 2013 2014 elections, barack obama, buddy dyer, florida bills, florida house, florida legislative session, florida politics, florida senate, governor rick scott, hilary clinton, orange county commission, orlando politics, orlando venues, sequestration, state legislature, ted edwards, teresa jacobs, val demings No comments

Busy Week brings us to “Week in Review and the big show covers a lot of ground tonight.

We break down Governor Rick Scott and Congressman John Mica’s fight to resolve flight delays caused by Air Traffic Control furloughs caused by sequestration.

The Orlando Magic unveiled plans to build a 100 million dollar entertainment complex downtown. It will be in the general area across the way from the Amway Center.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs filed for re-election. We look at her possible opponents.

Jacobs also visited Rufus the Beagle. Rufus bit his owners young son when the boy rushed him while eating. No one wants the dog destroyed but it might not be up to the owners or even the Mayor. The community has rallied behind the 1 year old pet.

Former President Bill Clinton will be speaking at UCF. The popular ex- Commander in Chief will be giving the commencement speech on Friday.

We also give a quick rundown over what’s left as we enter into the final week of legislative session in Tallahassee. There is so much to do and not enough time. There will be some angry lawmakers driving away from the capitol at the end of the week.

This is your Week in Review.

Take a Bike Ride to work with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

April 24, 2013 buddy dyer, orlando community events No comments

Some Community Bulletin Board material for you.

The City of Orlando will be holding it’s annual “Bike to Work Day” on Friday, May 3rd. You’ll be able to pleasant morning ride through the City Beautiful and into downtown. You can ride alone or as a part of a group (which is actually a lot of fun, if you can lobby the boss for some time out of the office). It’s not the “Tour de France”, there will be many recreational riders participating, so come on out.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will be on hand, and there will be refreshments.

Programs like these are good for the City and unfortunately don’t get as much publicity as they should. They also help promote the area during those “10 Healthiest” or “happiest” places to live surveys done by national magazines, which will raise your property value, so let’s get out there and pedal to economic prosperity!

It’s going to be a good time. Here is the flyer below.

Orlando Bike to Work Day

Get Your Message Out Banner! Blue

Magic to Build Entertainment Complex, Scott can’t deliver quoted Teacher raises, Daniel Webster’s Bi-partisan Transparency Push -Daily Wrap

April 23, 2013 buddy dyer, daniel webster, florida politics, governor rick scott, orlando politics, orlando venues, state legislature No comments
Buddy Dyer and Stuff the Magic Dragon

After the marathon of a Daily Wrap that we had yesterday, this videocast is a little more “portable”

We’ve got the Orlando Magic with an exciting announcement. The NBA franchise will be building a multi-million dollar entertainment complex. What are the political factors involved?

Earlier today, I reported that Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t be getting the amount he wanted each teacher to receive as a pay raise. Where does he go from here?

Finally, we’ve got Congressman Daniel Webster‘s push for a better way to examine the budget in Washington. This Bi-partisan push is exactly what’s needed but will it go anywhere?

This is your Daily Wrap for Monday, April 22nd 2013

Don't Let Banner Red

Video: Boston, Immigration, Gun Control, Jobs in a very busy week in Florida Politics – WIR

April 22, 2013 alan grayson, barack obama, bill nelson, buddy dyer, corrine brown, daniel webster, florida politics, governor rick scott, gun control, immigration, john mica, marco rubio, orange county commission, orlando politics, orlando venues, pam bondi, ron desantis, teresa jacobs No comments

This was a very busy week.

This could have been a full 30 minute show, with so much to cover but it manages to clock in at just under 12 minutes.

Of course, the main story is Boston. From the terrible attacks at the Boston Marathon leading to the capture, and finally a moment to begin the healing. We’ll talk about how are lawmakers supported the area during the tragedy.

The vote for extended background checks on gun purchases failed on capitol hill this week. We’ll talk about our Senators and how they voted on the measure.

We’ll stick with Marco Rubio as we discuss the Immigration Reform bill released by the “gang of 8″ this week and the challenges that were waiting for it.

At home, we’ve got soccer stadiums, veterans memorials, lawsuits on energy giants, and pro wrestling all dominating the Florida Political landscape.

This is your Week in Review.

Local Lawmakers gather to Break Ground for VA Memorial at Lake Nona

April 19, 2013 alan grayson, buddy dyer, daniel webster, florida politics, john mica, teresa jacobs No comments

Today, elected officials from all levels of government gathered for the ground breaking of a Veterans Memorial that will be built in the Lake Nona area.

Some of the local leaders on hand included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Congressmen Daniel Webster, John Mica, and Alan Grayson as well as City Commissioner Tony Ortiz.

Orange County and the City of Orlando has always taken good care of it’s Veterans. They hold annual celebrations like the downtown parade and honor the fallen during Memorial Day festivities. They also have Veterans advisory committees who play an active role in the planning.

The VA on the other has had many problems in the region. From the Case Backlog that keeps Veterans from collecting benefits, to the delays with the new VA Hospital in Lake Nona, which has missed it projected opening date by over a year and has been in a perpetual argument with facility’s contractor. The real celebration can take place when that badly needed project is completed.

Here is the ceremonial photo.

VA Memorial Ground Breaking

« Older Entries