Emails & Opinions

Darryl PaulsonFebruary 16, 2016

The passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 3, has created an opportunity for both the executive and legislative branches to work together. If they can’t, American politics will face a crisis of enormous magnitude. That is how serious the situation has become. Whether liberal or conservative, most agree that Scalia was a […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 16, 2016

“You, who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by.” When Crosby, Stills, and Nash penned the opening line to their classic song, “Teach Your Children,” they weren’t thinking about how to prepare students for gainful employment in the Computer Age. But if the Florida Legislature adopts a forward-looking proposal […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2016

In a pivotal scene from the vastly underrated movie “Heat,” the cop-and-robber characters portrayed by Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro go rat-a-tat-tat with each other over why certain men commit crimes. The robbery-homicide detective portrayed by Pacino cannot help but admire the discipline of the highline burglar found in DeNiro’s Neil McCauley character, yet he doesn’t really understand […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 16, 2016

A trio of Democrats have filed to run against incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Miller in his Orlando-based District 47 seat, but party officials have their eyes on a fourth candidate. Enter Patrick Chapin, the son of beloved former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin and the current CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

The opportunity to volunteer presented itself to me last year — and it turned out to be an educational lesson about patience and communications. I had been wanting to volunteer some place, and purposely chose teaching Sunday school with kids 3 to 5 years old because it was completely different than anything I had done […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Senate Health Policy Committee today will decide Dr. John Armstrong’s fate as a group of bipartisan senators confront Florida’s surgeon general with tough questions that include his absent leadership on HIV/AIDS. Florida leads the nation with the highest rate of new HIV infections. Like that of President Ronald Reagan’s shameful legacy of refusing […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2016

As incumbent Rick Kriseman barrels towards a second term as mayor of St. Petersburg, a not-so-silent minority displeased with the uber-liberal policies of Hizzoner is struggling to find even nominal opposition to run against Kriseman in 2017. Former Mayor Rick Baker? He appears more interested in running for Congress than returning to City Hall. Newly […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2016

Greetings from the EconoLodge in Tallahassee. A week ago in New Hampshire, tens of thousands of registered independents became Democrats or Republicans for a day (or more accurately, the time it took to cast their vote) so they could vote in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary election. Although some critics scoffed at how influential independents were […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 16, 2016

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As the Legislature continues debating a new Seminole Compact, the issue of decoupling has once again moved to the forefront. Publicly, one of the chief opponents of decoupling — which removes live race requirements for facilities to host slots and card rooms at pari-mutuels — is the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association (FTBOA). However, in the backrooms of Tallahassee, the FTBOA […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 16, 2016

The cornerstone of our constitutional democratic republic is protecting citizens’ right to full and public notice when their elected officials are discussing or making decisions that could affect everyone’s daily lives. As a non-partisan research taxpayer research institute that focuses on promoting government accountability and transparency, Florida TaxWatch supports the use of public notices in […]

Emails & Opinions

Darryl Paulson: The Antonin Scalia battle: The stakes have seldom been as high

William Mattox: Legislators should allow students to select computer coding as language option

Take a breath before casting judgment on prison health care contract

Might Patrick Chapin run for House District 47?

Traci Evison: Volunteering may teach you something about yourself

Michael Emanuel Rajner: Senate must reject Dr. John Armstrong, demand leadership on HIV/AIDS

Jeff Brandes for Mayor of St. Petersburg?

Mitch Perry Report for 2.16.16 — Time to stop penalizing indie voters in Florida

During Seminole Compact debate, lawmaker uncovers obscure sweetheart deal for Thoroughbred Breeders group

Dominic Calabro: Citizens need access to government public notices from a variety of sources