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

Les NeuhausMarch 30, 2017

A new bill would analyze career education standards and make suggestions to improve Florida’s job training programs, according to the lawmaker who proposed it Thursday. Rep. Al Jacquet, who sponsored HB 517, said it would create a new committee within the Department of Education to strengthen the state education system and help ensure Floridians would […]

Les NeuhausMarch 30, 2017

A slowly simmering email kerfuffle is turning into a close-to-uncomfortably hot scandal for Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who announced his candidacy for Florida governor in 2018 last month. Another email has been unearthed revealing he used state equipment as a means for campaigning, which is an ethics violation in the state of Florida. The email […]

Les NeuhausMarch 30, 2017

A new film focusing on Florida’s troubled foster care system drew a large crowd at a screening in Gulfport Wednesday night. ‘Foster Shock’ is a documentary highlighting the ills of the state’s child welfare system showed how a government body had completely turned over the responsibility and care of children to contracted, for-profit companies, who, […]

Les NeuhausMarch 29, 2017

A leading global human rights organization is honoring Bay Pines VA Healthcare System as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” among nearly 600 hospitals participating in a national survey. A representative for the facility, officially known as the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, announced the award Wednesday. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of […]

Les NeuhausMarch 29, 2017

Legislation intended as a “what if’ scenario for potential snags in future political redistricting received a fair amount of blowback from several House committee members. Nevertheless, the House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee passed the bill Wednesday. HB 953, sponsored by Rep. Larry Ahern, received a thorough level of skepticism and interrogation due to a […]

Les NeuhausMarch 29, 2017

Which counties were the healthiest and most unhealthy throughout the Sunshine State? St. Johns County ranked first in both key indexes used by the seventh annual county health rankings by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which partners with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to work with communities around the country to take a snapshot and […]

Les NeuhausMarch 28, 2017

A House committee voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of a bill to begin the Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program in the Panhandle’s Okaloosa County. Rep. Mel Ponder, who sponsored HB 1051, introduced the measure to the House Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee. The bill intends to alleviate overcrowding in the state’s prison corrections system with […]

Les NeuhausMarch 28, 2017

Two key first responders’ groups are giving support to St. Petersburg City Council Chair Darden Rice in her bid for re-election to the city body, according to a press release Tuesday. The Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association and the St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters issued a joint statement praising Rice’s commitment to the city. “I’m […]

Les NeuhausMarch 28, 2017

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Naika Venant’s mother vehemently refutes narratives by the state agency in a March 13 report, including suggestion she ‘allegedly’ commented on Facebook Live thread taunting daughter while watching and did nothing; lawyer says agencies ‘abysmally failed’ Naika. *** Naika Venant was a girl whose personality had turned from that of a bright and gifted child […]

Les NeuhausMarch 27, 2017

A Pinellas County court set a trial date for John Jonchuck, arrested in 2015 for throwing his 5-year-old daughter off a St. Petersburg bridge. The Tampa Bay Times reported Monday that the trial will begin early February. In a pretrial hearing Monday, Jonchuck’s three public defenders listened as Pinellas County Circuit Judge Chris Helinger announced […]

Les Neuhaus
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Legislation would improve career education standards

Emails continue to hound Andrew Gillum; fundraising invitation among newest trove

Documentary on Florida’s troubled foster care system draws big St. Pete crowd

Bay Pines VA Center recognized for work with LGBTQ community

2015 redux? House committee hotly debates, passes redistricting reform

New rankings show healthiest and least healthy counties in Florida; St. Johns the healthiest

House advances pilot program to treat mental health versus jail

Police and firefighter organizations give nod to Darden Rice

Did Florida DCF create media frenzy after foster child’s suicide to distract from agency errors?

February trial date set for John Jonchuck, accused of throwing daughter off St. Pete bridge