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

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the Constitution’s primary mandate for the Legislature. The Florida budget, like any budget, is comprised of two components: income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by Floridians and visitors […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

Comedian W.C. Fields quipped, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit.” It seems that Florida lawmakers need to field his advice as their debate over proposed assisted living reform draws to an unceremonious close. Since 2011, the Legislature has worked on hammering out a reform bill that would tighten assisted living […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

Once again, the leadership of the Florida Legislature has decided to play politics with women’s health. Case in point, the “mandatory abortion delay” bill. If this bill becomes law, even when a woman has already received state-mandated counseling and made a deliberate and fully informed decision, she will still be forced to wait 24 hours […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the primary mandate required of the Legislature by the constitution. The Florida budget, like any budget is comprised of two components; income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

For more than five decades, local governments and utility companies have had a very good arrangement that works well for everyone. When a private utility needs to run such things as transmission or cable lines, the utility enters into an agreement with a local government and this agreement allows the privately-owned infrastructure to be placed […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

The state of California is known for many things, including red carpets, wine country and high taxes. But recently, the Golden State has also become known for its struggle with a crisis other states like Florida are working to avoid: a severe water shortage that threatens its economy, its environment and the livelihood of millions […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

“Severe negative fiscal impact.” For more than five decades, local governments and utility companies have had a very good arrangement that works well for everyone. When a private utility needs to run such things as transmission or cable lines, the utility enters into an agreement with a local government and the agreement allows the privately […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

As Americans, we cherish our basic rights and our fundamental freedoms. Perhaps the most cherished right, and one that makes us unique in the world, is the one guaranteeing us the freedom to openly speak our minds. As the world’s first republic to put this in our nation’s charter document, we have a guaranteed right […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

I know I’m totally putting myself at risk by writing this column, and openly admitting to something the authorities consider irrefutable evidence of irresponsible parenting. There have been many articles recently published about parents doing something similar to what I’ve done, and those parents were subsequently questioned by police officers. A few have been arrested. […]

Guest Author

Garrett Richter: Health care in Florida: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Brian Lee: Bills to reform assisted living facilities would reduce oversight

Julie Hauserman, Laura Goodhue: Florida's legislative leaders don't trust women

Garrett Richter: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Sam Ferreri: 'Severe negative fiscal impact' of utilities changes = tax increase

Tom Feeney: Don't import California's water-planning woes to Florida

Sam Ferreri: Raising taxes by any other name

John Knight: Don’t exercise right to protest walk by Lauren’s Kids

Sen. Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida’s high school students

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I let my boys walk home alone; go ahead, cuff me