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

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

Finally, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has lost its credibility. Its credibility as a governing body. Its credibility as a professional organ. Its credibility as a guardian of the best interests of FAMU. Its credibility in its ongoing dispute with FAMU President Elmira Mangum, which reached a point of high camp at a […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

I remember when Sundays were about jazz, yoga and mimosas. Long walks and picnics in the park. A day to relax and reconnect with loved ones. Then my kids started high school. Now Sundays are a variety of things, none of them peaceful. Projects suddenly due the next day so we have to haul ass […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

Redistricting. Reapportionment. New voting maps. Dull. Boring. Eyes glaze over. It’s tough to follow – and care about – the legal battles that have been going on for years over Florida’s voting districts. But on Tuesday night I heard two attorneys who have been at the heart of the redistricting fight tell a riveting tale […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

Redistricting. Reapportionment. New voting maps. Dull. Boring. Eyes glaze over. It’s tough to follow – and care about – the legal battles that have been going on for years over Florida’s voting districts. But on Tuesday night I heard two attorneys who have been at the heart of the redistricting fight tell a riveting tale […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

A theater student recently came to my office a little on the glum side. He was acting in a production that had received a less-than-favorable review and wasn’t taking it well. He had taken the writer’s words to heart and it was affecting his performance. To be honest, I felt a little responsible for his […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

Thousands of trophy hunters will descend on Florida’s wilderness to kill an estimated 320 Florida black bears, a unique subspecies of the American black bear that’s found nowhere else on Earth. The state is holding this hunt starting Saturday despite most Floridians’ opposition to it. Nearly 3,000 hunting permits have been sold. Kate MacFall, Florida […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

Editor’s note: Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Steve Madden. In remembrance of his impact on so many lives, his friend, Travis Blanton, offered the following guest post. Today marks the third anniversary of losing my dear friend Steve Madden. In the time since he has passed I have asked myself on many occasions, […]

Guest AuthorOctober 19, 2015

“Not one more.” “Enough is enough.” “When will we do something about these mass shootings?” These are routine responses when someone shoots up a school, of which there have been three this month alone. In addition, let’s not forget about accidental shootings in the home, domestic abusers killing girlfriends or wives, countless suicides and murders […]

Guest AuthorOctober 18, 2015

The rising expense of pharmaceuticals is expected to put extra pressure on Florida’s budget next year, with the Department of Corrections, worker health insurance plans, and Medicaid shouldering most of the burden. New specialty drugs in particular are fanning the budgetary flames, such as Sovaldi and Harvoni: $1,000 pills that cure Hepatitis C. Many observers […]

Guest AuthorOctober 17, 2015

I attended the annual Tallahassee ritual Wednesday when politicians address the media and take some questions. The Republicans talked in generalities at the AP Legislative Planning Session and, for the most part, refused to respond to direct questions with direct answers. The Democrats, because they have absolutely no power in Florida government, mostly complained. Nonetheless, […]

Guest Author
Image via David Silvers.

Chris Timmons: In battle with university president, FAMU’s Board of Trustees has lost its credibility

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I apologize in advance – for all the itching

Fair Districts proponents tell an inspiring tale about a dull topic

Tom O’Hara: Attorneys tell an inspiring tale about a dull topic

Heather Gibson: For the next time someone says something bad about your work

Kate MacFall: Florida’s black bears in hunters’ sights starting Saturday

Travis Blanton: What would Steve Madden do?

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Here are 11 concrete actions you can take to curb gun violence

Sarah Maricle Ayers: Best medicine for drug prices is very little

Tom O’Hara: Banner plane delivered highlight of AP Legislative Planning Day