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

Guest AuthorMay 13, 2015

I may have missed an upgrade or 2, but I believe Avenir 3.0 was just released. This version appears to shed its former illusions of becoming an eco-tourism triumph (1.0), and a New Urbanist Utopia (2.0). Avenir 3.0 rebrands the Vavrus Ranch development as a simple and pragmatic solution to a host of problems the […]

Guest AuthorMay 12, 2015

Walking across the gravel, I stopped in front of a slab of stone and gently placed a flower on its surface. After another moment of contemplation, I placed a stone atop it with my left hand, a custom of mourning. The words on the wall behind it were repeated over and over again, in many […]

Guest AuthorMay 12, 2015

As we all know, Florida is an odd state for politics; one where Republicans control the Cabinet, House and Senate, but where voters have supported a Democratic presidential candidate the last two cycles. On the important topic of energy, Florida’s red politicians get very purple. Traditionally, Republicans have supported the notion of offshore energy exploration, […]

Guest AuthorMay 12, 2015

#BlackLivesMatter has become part of a symbolic movement with a powerful message. First tweeted on April 11, 2012, following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, #BlackLivesMatter began trending heavily during protests after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. Three years later, it remains relevant. For me, the hashtag conjures up images of black […]

Guest AuthorMay 11, 2015

Florida lawmakers passed a life-saving measure which now heads to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature. The newly passed legislation will drastically diminish a tragic and far-too-common occurrence – death resulting from a drug overdose. This public health crisis has, up until now, burdened the citizens and communities of Florida. My organization, Shatterproof, would like […]

Guest AuthorMay 10, 2015

It is May, a season of hope and fulfillment of dreams. Graduations bloom new flowers all across our state. A limitless future of choices and chances stand before those who are crossing our stages. I recently had the privilege of offering my thoughts through a commencement address to the students receiving graduate degrees from St. […]

Guest AuthorMay 10, 2015

I feel bad for Mike Rossi. He’s the Boston Marathon dad with an inflated ego who wrote a sanctimonious letter to his children’s principal for not excusing their absences when he took them out of school to cheer for him. Now, after allegations that he may have cheated in his race to qualify for Boston, […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2015

A few days ago we saw an unfortunate failure of leadership in the Florida Legislature. As a businessman still somewhat new to the process, I was disappointed that the will of the majority was bypassed. By putting politics before the work of the people, too many important issues were left stuck in the balance. One […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2015

With state prison and criminal justice reforms in the news, state inmates, their families and supporters, lawyers, and other advocates should be aware of early-release options and strategies. Florida has nearly 101,000 inmates in 56 major state prisons and numerous annexes and work camps. A clemency commutation of sentence and parole are alternate paths to […]

Guest AuthorMay 6, 2015

Florida lawmakers are required to do two things. First, prior to taking office, each member must take an oath. That oath obliges them to “support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government…of the State of Florida.” “I do solemnly swear…” Second, in upholding that same charter document, they must also pass a budget. The Florida […]

Guest Author

Timothy Hullihan: Why Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County should shun Avenir 3.0

Danielle Wirsansky: Is 'Holocaust' a band? Despite education mandate, too many Florida students ignorant

Barney Bishop: Florida should take head out of the sand, allow offshore seismic surveying

Vanessa Lopez-Littleton: If #BlackLivesMatter stops trending, will black lives still matter?

Gary Mendell: Life-saving measure passes Florida Legislature to combat drug overdoses

Ed Moore: It's commencement season, but 'commencing' what?

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Mike Rossi, the Boston Marathon, cheaters and 'attention whoring'

Wilton Simpson: We must create a statewide plan to restore, protect all environmentally sensitive areas

Reggie Garcia: Florida inmates should explore their early release options

Ray Hudkins: Imagine if all Florida voters were allowed to have a choice in elections