Emails & Opinions

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

Second of three parts. Civil forfeiture began as something relatively innocuous. Throughout most of U.S. history, civil forfeiture was primarily used to enforce duties and excise taxes. But this all changed during the 1980s, as law enforcement agencies around the nation began to realize that they could supplement their resources by pursuing civil forfeiture instead […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

Jan. 19 marked the start of tax season, a time only looked forward to by big spending politicians, bureaucrats and fraudsters. With Tax Day less than three months away, folks across the country are scrambling to get their financial houses in order as they prepare to file with the IRS. Complicating an already stressful process […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 9, 2016

Taxpayers beware: There is a dangerously naive proposal making the rounds in Tallahassee. Some politicians want to significantly damage Florida’s successful Contraband Forfeiture Act. This is the law that prevents criminals from profiting from their illegal acts. Just like we prohibit killers from profiting by writing books about their crimes, the civil contraband forfeiture law […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2016

Here’s some wishful thinking. Wanted to Rent: One bedroom, one bath house or apartment. Long-term lease. Willing to pay security, first and last. Employed. Good references. Can afford up to $775 monthly. In Key West. I don’t have a car so need to be close to work. Did that $775 a month make you snort […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2016

What would you think if your neighbors decided one Christmas that instead of getting their daughter a much-wanted hula hoop and their son a long-prized model airplane (that loops the loop), fairness demands that they give their children carbon copies of the same toy? If you’re like me, you’d probably think, “Surely, it must be […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 9, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2016

Many people have written on the fear of failure. In many places it goes under the heading “fear of losing face.” I have visited several major laboratories and universities in Japan and China and came away with an uncanny feeling that in many instances they are held back by this fear. Just one example will […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 9, 2016

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry, Ryan Ray, and Jim Rosica. New Hampshire voters go to the polls today, in what is being predicting to be a record 550,00 cast in the first-in-the-nation’s presidential primary. Secretary of State Bll Gardner believes 282,000 Republican […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2016

Nashua, NH — After a frenzied week of campaigning, New Hampshire voters are going to the polls today, and the good news is that it appears that if any snow does descend upon the state, it will be rather innocuous in its intensity. To say the least, that’s a big deal. You can hear the […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 8, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Emails & Opinions

Justin Pearson: Legislature needs to reform Florida’s civil forfeiture laws

Apryl Marie Fogel: Beware of tax-season scam artists

Grady Judd: Taxpayers have most to lose from attack on Contraband Forfeiture Act

Linda Cunningham: Key West voters need to preserve housing for workers

William Mattox: Debate over mandatory recess exposes folly of education “uniformity”

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Michael Bass: Take risks and savor the rewards

Sunburn for Feb. 9 – Happy Election Day!

Mitch Perry Report for 2.09.16 — New Hampshire happens

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy