Emails & Opinions

Joe HendersonApril 20, 2017

The damage wrought by state Sen. Frank Artiles’ racist rant has ripples that extend far beyond the seats of power in Tallahassee. All it took to confirm that was to type his “Senator Frank Artiles” into Google. Within seconds, a collection of stories popped up that confirms how much impact the bile from his bigoted […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

An updated draft of rules governing the election of the Republican’s freshman caucus leader — and eventual Speaker of the House — moves up the organizational meeting and stipulates a member found in violation of Republican conference rules would be ineligible for consideration. Reps. Ralph Massullo and Michael Grant have been tasked with writing draft […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

A great deal has already been said about the yes-he-really-said-it Frank Artiles saga. And there seems to be near-universal agreement on these points: — Artiles is a world-class jerk. — What he said goes far beyond the limits of acceptable. — This was not his first foray into the unacceptable. — Artiles needs professional help. […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry, Jim Rosica and Florence Snyder, who has the lead.. LET’S HOPE SOMEONE LOVES FRANK ARTILES ENOUGH TO GET HIM SOME HELP On a busy day of hearings in a busy week of the legislative session, a […]

Guest AuthorApril 19, 2017

Florida has a once in a generation opportunity to fix our “rigged” political system via the Constitution Revision Commission. If you’re like me, you don’t need some expert to tell you about the adverse effects of gerrymandering. Acrimonious partisan rhetoric, high-dollar campaign financing, and a terrible closed primary system locking out 3.1 million independent voters […]

Florence SnyderApril 19, 2017

On a busy day of hearings in a busy week of the legislative session, a south Florida woman wanted a picture of herself and a friend and the rain pouring outside the Knott Building. She scanned the immediate vicinity for a friendly face, and held her iPhone out to Jacksonville’s Audrey Gibson. Plainly the tourist […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2017

As the Florida Senate considers what to do next as the imbroglio surrounding Republican Frank Artilles continues unabated, it’s important to remember that The Process has been here before. As has been noted by many others in Florida’s political media, Republican Ralph Arza resigned after leaving a message filled with obscenities and racial slur on a […]

Joe HendersonApril 19, 2017

If you’re keeping score (and I know you are), Tuesday was a bad day for the Florida Senate. That august body served up a double serving from the “This Is Why People Hate Politicians” buffet. There was the eye-popping, ear-insulting, are-you-kidding-me story that Sen. Frank Artiles employed the vilest racial insult to describe a pair […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2017

My father-in-law being a U.S. Marine, I’ve learned not to use the past tense to describe his service. Even at 67 years old, my father-in-law is a Marine, not was a Marine. Republican state Senate Frank Artiles is a Marine, not was a Marine. Volunteering to serve our country shows Artiles has far more courage than I’ve […]

Peter SchorschApril 19, 2017

Some call it the “beer glass bill.” I wonder if it shouldn’t be called the “beer glasses for beer taps” bill. Here’s the skinny: Lawmakers are moving legislation to allow beer distributors to give away glasses from brewers imprinted with product names and logos to bars and restaurants. Now, they have to be sold. Those in […]

Emails & Opinions

Joe Henderson: What damage could follow as Frank Artiles’ rant reverberates around the globe?

Newest draft rules governing 2022 Speaker race: Members not eligible for nomination if they violate GOP conference rules

How Frank Artiles colleagues should respond to his defiance

Sunburn for 4.20.17 – Frank Artiles defiant; Steph Smith’s big day; Senate’s first gambling offer; Black bears are safe; NSFW tennis

Steve Hough: Florida’s chance to fix its ‘rigged’ election system

Florence Snyder: Let’s hope someone loves Frank Artiles enough to get him some help

When Marco Rubio had to deal with the racism of a Florida lawmaker

Joe Henderson: There’s only one ethical course for Senate to take. Ethics? Oh, wait …

Of course, Frank Artiles should resign. Does the Senate have the steel to make that happen?

Devil is in the details of ‘beer glass’ legislation

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.