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

Guest AuthorFebruary 12, 2014

I have a confession to make. I’m a second-hand smoker. I’ve been a second-hand smoker since I started dating my beautiful bride in high school. We will celebrate our 27th anniversary in June 2014. E-cigarettes have changed my life and in all likelihood my life expectancy. The American Lung Association states that there are as […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 12, 2014

The point of school choice is to give parents options because we know different students thrive in different learning environments. So our need to assure that all these schools are holding up their end of the bargain is made no easier by those who demand we treat them as though they are all alike. Julie […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2014

Last summer, Jared Fogel celebrated his 15th year as spokesperson for the Subway chain. He’s the guy who claimed to have lost 245 pounds by eating the fast-food chain’s turkey and veggie subs without the oil, cheese or mayo on them. Since then, he’s been helping the chain, which has more locations than McDonald’s and […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2014

There is no doubt that Florida’s shortage of primary-care physicians and nurses can make it difficult for patients to get access to health care. While it is important for the medical community and lawmakers to seek solutions, doing so by lowering standards of care is not the answer. One proposal that Florida lawmakers are considering does just that. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2014

Recently I had the chance to play tourist in our national Capitol. Nothing quite gets my thoughts flowing as much as walking in the places where so many great leaders have trod. Years ago I was in a small breakfast meeting in then Republican Leader Bob Dole’s office. He pointed to where my chair was […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2014

For nearly a century, the Florida League of Cities has worked tirelessly for our member cities, for local leaders and for the citizens they represent. During that time, we have steadfastly supported tough ethics standards, guidelines and laws for all of Florida’s public officials. We believe in the unwavering concept of holding wrongdoers accountable, of […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 10, 2014

Was Charlie Crist’s greater sin that he “flip-flopped” his position on the Cuban embargo or that his new position will anger voters and cost him the election? My view: Neither. With not even a muffled drum roll, Crist answered an embargo question posed by liberal comic Bill Maher. Should the embargo be lifted? Maher asked. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 10, 2014

Where is the outrage? The news that University of South Florida anthropologists found 55 bodies buried on the property of the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna prompted the usual anger from former inmates and relatives of boys who died there. But the silence from our state’s legal and political establishment is disconcerting. Attorney General […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 10, 2014

Nineteen years after the rape and murder of 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce shook the people of our state and our nation, his killer will finally be executed Wednesday. It’s a fitting time to look at how Florida’s efforts to protect our children from predators have evolved and where more work needs to be done. The Ryce […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2014

A year ago, the seat was not on anyone’s radar screen. The Republicans didn’t have to defend it and the Democrats couldn’t even dream of it. But then Bill Young announced his retirement and said he would not run for re-election in 2014. Suddenly, it was a marginal seat for the fall elections. Republicans were […]

Guest Author
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine briefs members of the media Sunday morning on the U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran. Image via The Associated Press.

Jamie Miller: E-cigarettes: Next target for those who want to control your life

Jason Fischer: School choice requires policymakers to strike a balance

Steve Kurlander: Hold the mayo and the azodicarbonamide from my sub

Dr. W. Alan Harmon: House proposal puts Florida patients in danger

Ed Moore: Florida icons – remembering how we got here

Scott Dudley: Florida League of Cities supports changes to ethics code

Doug Clifton: Crist’s flip-flop on Cuban embargo was canny and correct

Andrew Skerritt: Where is the outrage over the bodies at Marianna?

Lauren Book: Why I walk: Florida’s need for better sexual abuse prevention

John Grant: Sinking America with Alex Sink