Emails & Opinions

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session The Last 24 Good Monday evening. An angry Jimmy Patronis blistered the League of Cities over PTSD benefits for first responders, and — miracle of miracles — the House gaming bill is again on the move. Will the Legislature pass a gambling measure this […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2018

Floridians are blessed with a low cost of living. When comparing the cost of housing, utilities, transportation, health, or the overall cost of living, Florida is lower than the U.S. average. Why, then, is Florida ranked among the five most expensive states for car insurance? The answer is, in part, because of a broken statutory […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 26, 2018

Trade officials from the Trump administration recently wrapped up the sixth of seven scheduled rounds of discussions with counterparts from Mexico and Canada to revise and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. President Donald Trump stated that if the process doesn’t go to his liking, he’ll pull the plug on the deal altogether. That […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

While you were sleeping—or watching LobbyTools for other stuff—language was put in the House’s annual tax package to, among other things, void all 58 existing puppy mill sale bans and prevent any future bans. Now that’s pre-emption. Over the past decade, 58 municipalities have passed these ordinances in the state, according to the Animal Defense […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 26, 2018

The NRA boycott is gaining corporate converts every day, so maybe it’s time ask the gun-rights lobby this simple question: How does it feel? The National Rifle Association grew into an organization with outsized influence because it keeps lawmakers in line with the threat of political and economic pressure. Its leaders have long understood that […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Ana Ceballos, Daniel McAuliffe, and Jim Rosica. Although there are still ten working days before Sine Die, it’s not too early to think about who is emerging from Session as a winner or a loser. RIGHT NOW, we are […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 24, 2018

Just days ago, 17 people, mostly teenagers, were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. There were warning signs, and one of them was an online posting under the shooter’s name that dictated “I’m going to be a professional school shooter” on a YouTube video. These types of threats can be a critical indicator that […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 24, 2018

As House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s priority education bill is pushed through the Senate committee process, some watching this week were perplexed by the vote of one sometimes perplexing Republican lawmaker. Sen. Tom Lee, who has helped carry Corcoran’s policy in a sometimes-hostile Senate, voted with Democrats to gut language from the omnibus bill that would […]

Blake DowlingFebruary 24, 2018

There are a lot of hot topics raging throughout the state, nation and the world right now. Debates are raging, protests are happening, as it can (and should) in a Democracy. These are serious times, with serious issues on the table. But this column is going to steer the other way, giving you a short […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 23, 2018

The most important and unregrettable time of my life was the 12 years I spent in the Army. I became a bomb technician because I wanted to save lives. I nearly gave my own life for that — I lost both my legs and a finger when a roadside bomb detonated beneath me — and […]

Emails & Opinions
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Sixty Days for 2.26.18 — A prime-time look at the 2018 Legislative Session

Stephanie Smith: Florida Senate should vote to fix auto insurance laws

Brandon Arnold: Florida wins by modernizing NAFTA

Could language in tax package pre-empt local bans on puppy mill sales?

Joe Henderson: NRA boycott shows pressure can work both ways

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 2.26.18

Amy Mercer: It is not illegal to threaten a school shooting in Florida

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A puzzling vote

Blake Dowling: Taking a short break to talk Han Solo

Brian Mast: I appreciate assault weapons. And I support a ban