Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Shannon NickinsonOctober 19, 2015

Northwest Florida has a lot going for it. That was among the bits of wisdom and moments of insight offered throughout the recent Gulf Power Economic Symposium at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin. What we do with all that potential and goodwill created by our area’s natural beauty and a workforce influenced […]

Jac VerSteegOctober 19, 2015

In his recent entertaining column on Context Florida my former boss, Tom O’Hara, reported from The Associated Press Legislative Planning Session in Tallahassee that Gov. Rick Scott’s central message was: “It’s the year of the manufacturer.” I agree with Scott. But I am not attaching quite the same meaning to his words as the governor […]

Jac VerSteegOctober 18, 2015

In his recent entertaining column on Context Florida my former boss, Tom O’Hara, reported from The Associated Press Legislative Planning Session in Tallahassee that Gov. Rick Scott’s central message was: “It’s the year of the manufacturer.” I agree with Scott. But I am not attaching quite the same meaning to his words as the governor […]

Guest AuthorOctober 15, 2015

I hear John Thrasher is doing a good job as president of Florida State University. Says FSU trustee Allan Bense: “In general, I will tell you 2014 was a rough year. There were days when I had 50 or 60 emails in my inbox. And I will tell you, you know how many I get […]

Jim RosicaOctober 14, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday called the upcoming year “the year of the manufacturer,” calling for the Legislature to kill the state’s business tax on manufacturing this upcoming legislative session. Scott spoke during the yearly Associated Press Legislative Planning Session, held on the 22nd floor of the Capitol. “If we do this, we’ll see a dramatic growth […]

Associated PressSeptember 29, 2015

In his latest dispute with Florida hospitals, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday called for additional regulations, including a requirement that they disclose more information about prices charged to patients. Scott is hoping the Florida Legislature will pass the proposals during the 2016 session. The Republican governor has taken aim at hospitals that receive public funds […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 28, 2015

Our country faces an epidemic. On average, 308 people die every week from prescription opioid pain medications, the vast majority unintentional. Over the past five years, more Americans died from prescription opioid overdose than during the entire Vietnam War. Sadly, our state is not immune from this epidemic. Drug poisoning, has surpassed car accidents as […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 23, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott has certainly been proactive when it comes to criss-crossing the globe in his efforts to relocate businesses and resulting jobs to Florida. But because millions of taxpayer dollars are spent annually to lure various corporations to the Sunshine State through agencies such as Enterprise Florida, it’s hard to fathom why our elected […]

Shannon NickinsonSeptember 20, 2015

The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet recently voted to write state leaders urging them to prioritize early education and child services for “the first 1,000 days” – from pregnancy to age 3. Based on data from the Pensacola Metro Dashboard, only 66.2 percent of Escambia County’s 5-year-olds are ready for kindergarten; in Santa Rosa County […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 10, 2015

Editor’s note: This post was updated to reflect that the Judicial Nominating Commission has yet to finalize the short list of names it will send to the governor for consideration. Alan Abramowitz, head of the state’s child-advocate program, also has been a prosecutor and a public defender in Florida’s courts. Now he wants to add “judge” […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Shannon Nickinson: Economic symposium points way for NW Florida's future

Jac VerSteeg: Manufacturing lies is keeping campaigns alive

Jac VerSteeg: Manufacturing lies is keeping campaigns alive

Chris Timmons: John Thrasher’s Florida State presidency: "Good job"

Rick Scott calls for more tax cuts at AP Day

Rick Scott calls for more regulation of hospitals

Dr. Julio Gonzalez: Florida takes action to reduce prescription drug, heroin-related deaths

Bill White: Florida could “decouple” horse racing, breeding right out of business

Shannon Nickinson: Our children need more than a letter

Alan Abramowitz among applicants for circuit judge