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

Melissa RossJuly 27, 2015

Northeast Florida State Attorney candidate Wes White says the issue of untested rape kits in Florida’s Fourth Circuit runs far deeper than his many beefs with Angela Corey. “I think we live in a country where it requires 35 women to bring a claim against someone like Bill Cosby before law enforcement officials will pay […]

Melissa RossJuly 23, 2015

As Donald Trump rides high in the polls and takes his presidential campaign to the Texas border, one prominent Florida political analyst says it’s important to have some perspective on the 2016 race. “Everybody needs a reality check,” says Matt Corrigan, UNF political science professor and author of Conservative Hurricane: How Jeb Bush Remade Florida. “Polls […]

Melissa RossJuly 22, 2015

The public will have another chance Wednesday night to sound off on their vision for a redeveloped Jacksonville Landing, and the man leading the redesign project says this “charrette” process is key. “We want to hear from the community,” said Aundra Wallace, CEO of the city’s Downtown Investment Authority. “What’s their vision for the Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossJuly 21, 2015

In an email to constituents, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is debuting a new interactive financial website for veterans called Serve, Save, Succeed. Atwater says the site will give Florida’s military service members and veterans an online platform for collaborative discussion and creative thinking about money management. “I know that financial success stories come […]

Melissa RossJuly 20, 2015

News that the FDLE will investigate red light camera firm Redflex is getting a major green light from activists lobbying against the company. “I’m ecstatic,” said Paul Henry, a retired Florida state trooper who has been lobbying against red light cameras in the state via the Liberty First Network. Henry made his remarks during an appearance […]

Melissa RossJuly 16, 2015

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Florida Republicans from Marco Rubio to Ron DeSantis have been quick to denounce the Iran nuclear deal President Barack Obama’s White House struck this week. The rhetoric has been colorful, with DeSantis calling the agreement “a gift to the Ayatollah.” Rubio’s take: “This deal undermines our national security.” Sunshine State Democrats, of course, had a […]

Melissa RossJuly 15, 2015

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With bold proposals out this week for improving student achievement in urban Duval County, Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti acknowledges: “It’s a tough job.” The challenge is one of scale,” Vitti said during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect. “It’s undeniable we have pockets of excellence even in very tough schools. We’re seeing improvement, the […]

Melissa RossJuly 14, 2015

This week Jacksonville University will hold an open forum called “What We Know and Don’t Know About Climate Change.” It’s timely. Researchers reported in a new study Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change that temperature swings associated with climate change can kill, and not just with heat waves. Meanwhile, the expected effects of sea level […]

Melissa RossJuly 14, 2015

Republican North Florida U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security and a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, has blasted out a scathing email in response to President Barack Obama‘s announcement of a nuclear agreement with Iran. “This Iran deal gives Ayatollah Khamenei exactly what he wants: billions of […]

Melissa RossJuly 13, 2015

Mental health advocates have reacted with cautious optimism to news that Gov. Rick Scott has ordered an independent analysis of the state’s prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues. “It’s long overdue,” said Denise Marzullo, president and CEO of Mental Health America of […]

Melissa Ross

Wes White: Untested rape kits flap shows violence against women not taken seriously

Matt Corrigan: 2016 race needs a reality check

“You have to get it right,” says Aundra Wallace of Jacksonville Landing

Email insights: CFO Jeff Atwater launches “Serve, Save, Succeed” for veterans

Foes of red light cameras “ecstatic” at FDLE investigation

Iran deal “a roll of the dice,” Florida expert says

Nikolai Vitti: Standardized testing “exacerbated problems in schools around the country”

Sea level rise around Florida “insidious,” says climate researcher

Email insights: Ron DeSantis calls Iran deal “a gift to the Ayatollah”

Mental health advocates say Scott’s executive order on prisons “long overdue”