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

James CallMarch 10, 2015

Florida lawmakers’ balancing act in writing a state budget includes factoring in promises of a tax cut, increases in education and conservation measures, and bridging a nearly $2 billion gap created by the scheduled ending of a Low Income Pool program for hospitals. They will get fresh numbers Tuesday to begin work on a spending […]

James CallMarch 10, 2015

Florida lawmakers’ balancing act in writing a state budget includes factoring in promises of a tax cut, increases in education and conservation measures, and bridging a nearly $2 billion gap created by the scheduled ending of a Low Income Pool program for hospitals. They will get fresh numbers Tuesday to begin work on a spending […]

James CallMarch 10, 2015

The House Education Committee spent about an hour Monday discussing and approving an overhaul of Florida’s testing-focused school accountability program. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote. Read a staff analysis here. Chairwoman Marlene O’Toole said this past week she wanted to get the measure to the floor as quickly as possible, and Monday […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

It was a day of testing at the state Capitol. The House Education Committee took about an hour to dispose of an overhaul of Florida’s school accountability system. The measure reducing testing and allowing an earlier start date of the school year sailed through with a few concerns expressed and a unanimous vote. While the […]

James CallMarch 9, 2015

News will take a backseat to humor Tuesday night when the Capitol Press Corps presents the 60th edition of the sometimes Annual Press Skits; a tradition that began when the senior members of Florida’s political/media class were toddlers. “It’s become ingrained in the culture of Tallahassee, said Steve Bousquet, appearing in his 21st Press Skits show. […]

James CallMarch 8, 2015

This week politics at the state Capitol will be about money and a search for clarity. Legislators will get a better view of the hill they need to climb in building a state budget for the year beginning July 1. The Revenue Estimating Conference meets Tuesday and will count up how much tax money the […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

This is funny. Chris Pack obviously doesn’t know me nor much about rookie Congresswoman Gwen Graham. Then again, I should have realized back when people threw beer cans at me during my stand-up comedy phase in college that I do humor like Andy Kaufman — a few get my jokes, but most are bewildered. So, […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

This is funny. Chris Pack obviously doesn’t know me nor much about rookie Congresswoman Gwen Graham. Then again, I should have realized back when people threw beer cans at me during my stand-up comedy phase in college that I do humor like Andy Kaufman — a few get my jokes, but most are bewildered. So, […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

At the end of the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Capitol City’s newspaper printed an editorial cartoon that compared lobbyists to great white sharks. The cartoon asks which species pose a greater threat to Floridians; paid advocates or Jaws. Psychologists tell us we see what we know and what we know influences […]

James CallMarch 5, 2015

We’ve gone about a week without hearing from anyone about North Florida rookie U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham when our mailbox lit up with a message from the National Republican Congressional Committee. It questions Graham’s silence on questions about Hillary Clinton’s email account. CNN reports that everyone in Washington is talking about Clinton’s emails except Democrats. […]

James Call

He’s singin’ the small government blues

He's singin' the small government blues

House Education panel talks school accountability reform

The day that was in Florida Politics — March 9

Annual Capitol Press Skits skewer Tallahassee elite

Capitol Preview: Money, press skits and the search for clarity

NRCC obsession with Gwen Graham and "brass in her pocket"

NRCC obsession with Gwen Graham and “brass in her pocket”

The week that was in Florida politics

Gwen Graham’s silence on Hillary Clinton emails is deafening