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

Melissa RossMarch 16, 2016

If it comes down to a Trump vs. Clinton matchup, how will Florida vote? As usual, it’s a tossup. Even though Donald Trump is alienating Florida’s growing Hispanic population, and Hillary Clinton has high unfavorables of her own, the state is poised to swing once again in November, with voters mobilized to cast a ballot against […]

Melissa RossMarch 15, 2016

The Florida-based activist group Dream Defenders is debuting a “presidential Cabinet,” dubbed #SquaDD2016, with the goal of “speaking truth to power by elevating the voices of young Black and Brown people.” According to the organization, “We organized #SquaDD2016 with the intention of conveying the message that we demand more from the presidential candidates, particularly those who benefit […]

Melissa RossMarch 14, 2016

The Jax for Bernie Sanders campaign is circulating a video that shows an unidentified man on a bicycle taking down Bernie Sanders campaign signs. You can check out the short clip on YouTube. According to the poster, “This occurred less than 10 minutes from the Jacksonville campaign office. People have been complaining to the office […]

Melissa RossMarch 14, 2016

In a very intimate setting, former President Bill Clinton stumped for his wife Hillary Clinton by rallying dozens of local union members gathered at the Ironworkers Local 597 Hall on Jacksonville’s Northside. It was one of two Jacksonville stops for the HRC campaign’s most high-profile surrogate. And the message was straight-up economic populism. “Even though […]

Melissa RossMarch 14, 2016

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Drawing a direct line between the popularity of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and the rise of Nazism in Germany, UNF professor Parvez Ahmed in a talk radio interview with WJCT pointed out that all the factors in a country that make genocide possible are now present in today’s United States. He spoke strongly against the […]

Melissa RossMarch 11, 2016

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The University of North Florida and its former women’s basketball coach Mary Tappmeyer have announced a settlement in Tappmeyer’s sex discrimination and retaliation claims associated with her termination from UNF in March 2015. UNF will pay Tappmeyer $1.25 million to settle her claims, according to attorneys representing Tappmeyer. She left the program as the only […]

Melissa RossMarch 10, 2016

Family law attorneys are blasting a sweeping overhaul of Florida’s divorce laws, saying they hope Gov. Rick Scott will veto SB 668. The measure does away with lifetime alimony in the state. Instead, the amount and duration of alimony would be determined by a formula. “It’s really going to affect women in a negative way,” said Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossMarch 10, 2016

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is pushing back against reports he’s holding up legislation to help Flint, Michigan, recover from the poisoning of its water supply. Nelson says because he opposed an amendment attached to the bill that would create incentives to increase offshore drilling, he has no choice but to block the measure by placing what’s […]

Melissa RossMarch 8, 2016

Solar activists are crying foul about proposed changes to JEA’s net metering program. They’ll be airing their concerns at a community forum on solar Wednesday evening at Jacksonville University. The JEA board is considering whether to adopt reductions in the credit that is provided to customers who send power back to the grid through JEA’s net metering policy. Net […]

Melissa RossMarch 7, 2016

Activists fighting the decades-long struggle for LGBT equality in America have long been skilled at the long game. From the 1969 Stonewall riots to the 2015 nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, this is a patient movement, one that has nudged the culture inexorably over a half-century toward greater acceptance and inclusion. To that end, the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality […]

In Florida, professor predicts “hate election”

Dream Defenders launch #SquaDD2016

Caught in act: Bernie Sanders supporters take video of Jacksonville man stealing their candidate’s signs

Bill Clinton to union workers: “America needs a raise”

UNF professor on Donald Trump: “This is what modern fascism looks like”

UNF, former women’s basketball coach settle Title IX lawsuit for $1.25 million

Family law attorneys blast alimony, child custody bill headed to Governor’s desk

Bill Nelson denies holding up passage of Flint water bill

Solar activists speak out about proposed changes to JEA net metering

Jax Coalition for Equality keeps up the HRO pressure