Daniel Tilson, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Daniel TilsonApril 17, 2014

Florida Democrats deserve a customized version of Howard Dean’s “50-state strategy.” The non-competitive horse — uh, donkey — is already out of the barn in 2014. But the right combination of desire, commitment, creativity and cooperation could flip the script in 2016. The Democratic National Committee chair from 2005-2009, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, challenged […]

Daniel TilsonApril 15, 2014

Not long ago I had a brief, casual conversation about politics (yeah, I can be brief and casual about politics, stop laughing), while getting my car serviced. I and another middle-aged guy were sitting in the waiting room watching news on an overhead TV, waiting for our cars. A story about Florida’s soon-to-be-new “Warning Shot” […]

Daniel TilsonApril 13, 2014

It is what it is. Most Floridians seem resigned to the corporate welfare system their elected officials have quietly created and perpetuated. As a result, another legislative session winds down without the welfare reform we need. You may remember how debate about a growing “culture of entitlement” drove the Clinton administration in 1996 to reform […]

Daniel TilsonApril 10, 2014

If you were among the most wealthy, privileged and politically powerful business people in Florida, and you prioritized limitless monetary gain over and above social responsibility to the state you called home; what would be the most troublesome obstacles in your path? Taxation would have to be “Private Enemy No. 1.” Paying personal income or […]

Daniel TilsonApril 7, 2014

Several bills moving forward through the 2014 Florida legislative session offer excellent opportunities for opponents of both big and bad government to join forces. Imagine, conservatives concerned with shrinking and disempowering government, uniting with liberals more concerned with its purpose and impact. Imagine, agreeing to disagree on divisive social issues, but agreeing to work together […]

Daniel TilsonApril 3, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott and Florida’s Republican legislators think lots of Election 2014 votes can be won with a $25 auto fee refund and some sales tax holidays. The Florida Chamber and other big business war chests will finance endlessly misleading multimedia messaging, about how Republicans have achieved “meaningful tax relief for Florida’s families,” by letting […]

Daniel TilsonApril 1, 2014

Overcoming epic rollout woes, constant conservative attacks, repeated Republican repeal attempts and nonstop negative media coverage, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has met and exceeded its benchmark goal of gaining 7 million enrollees by March 31. The ironic icing on the cake for Florida progressives is that infamous “Obamacare” opponent Gov. Rick Scott must endure […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 29, 2014

The details of a messy divorce between Gov. Rick Scott and campaign finance co-chair Mike Fernandez became public last week, shedding unflattering new light on the dysfunctional political culture Scott has created in Tallahassee. It’s a light that could help millions of Florida voters see through this year’s attempted “extreme makeover” of Scott, intended to soften […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 26, 2014

Have you ever had part of your weekly salary stolen? By an employer using unethical or outright illegal means? Over, and over, and over again? If your answers to the first two much less all three questions are “yes,” then you know how unfair and awful wage theft is. If you answered no, then imagine […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 25, 2014

When I first met Felipe Matos, he was heading nobly northward through Palm Beach County, traveling by foot along with three brave young companions. Felipe, Gaby Pacheco, Juan (now Isabel Sousa) Rodriguez and Carlos Roa had departed from the foot of Miami’s historic Freedom Tower on New Year’s Day 2010, the beginning of an epic […]

Daniel Tilson
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Daniel Tilson: Reinventing the ’50-state strategy’ in Florida

Daniel Tilson: Florida Democrats have to be in it to win it

Daniel Tilson: Florida’s corporate welfare crisis

Daniel Tilson: A tale of two Floridas

Daniel Tilson: Beware Rick Scott’s legislative control freaks

Daniel Tilson: Florida’s ‘Here’s 25 bucks, vote Republican’ budget

Daniel Tilson: Florida leads way on Obamacare, for better and worse

Daniel Tilson: Gov. Rick Scott’s culture of insensitivity and paranoia

Daniel Tilson: Florida House wage-theft bill adds insult to injury

Daniel Tilson: Florida ‘DREAMers’ deserve in-state tuition