Emails & Opinions

Peter SchorschMay 22, 2017

John Morgan was at his Trumpiest earlier this month when he took to social media to savage his longtime aide-de-camp, Ben Pollara, over the failure of legislation implementing medical marijuana this Session. Labeling him “Fredo,” (from the Godfather trilogy) and telling FloridaPolitics.com that Ben “f**ked the patients,” Morgan accused Pollara of putting the interests of wannabe medical marijuana businesses […]

Guest AuthorMay 22, 2017

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer‘s announcement this week that the city’s Confederate statue will be moved from Lake Eola Park to Greenwood Cemetery represents a positive step in recognizing the changing nature of Southern culture and the diverse set of voices that deserve a say in the ongoing process of commemorating a complex and troublesome past. […]

Martin DyckmanMay 22, 2017

The Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts wrote a powerful case for Donald Trump‘s impeachment, in the style of an open letter to the “Dear Republicans in Congress,” that I was reading to my wife as she prepared breakfast the other morning. At the part where Pitts asked, “Have you no loyalties deeper than party?” Ivy […]

Peter SchorschMay 22, 2017

Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, Mitch Perry and Jim Rosica. Good morning from the Promenade Bar on Deck 3 of the Disney Magic. Current location is 46.20.36 N, 10.42.59 W. Course is 48 degrees. The nearest land is Brest, France. On Saturday, we […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2017

A U.S. appeals court ruling that federal law doesn’t bar smokers from using a landmark Florida Supreme Court decision from proving damages gave a smile to one former Florida judge. The 11th Circuit on Thursday said plaintiffs and their survivors can use the “Engle tobacco class action’s jury findings to establish strict liability and negligence […]

Blake DowlingMay 20, 2017

Have you checked out the latest version of the digital personal assistant, Alexa, that is specially designed for Senior Citizens? It’s called Alexa Silver. It’s super loud and you can only order it by check. It also has an “uh huh” function that it says when you are telling rambling stories. Fake news alert, it’s […]

Peter SchorschMay 19, 2017

Adam Putnam has now spent a week on the road after his launching a 10-day, 22-city bus tour through Florida, kicking off his bid for governor. So far, the campaign says the response has been “overwhelmingly positive.” The state’s Agriculture Commissioner, in a series of “Up & Adam” events, has met with a wide variety of residents, grassroots supporters, […]

Darryl PaulsonMay 19, 2017

I expect the title of this op-ed will generate enough hate mail to keep me busy for a month. How can anyone oppose democracy? If the Founders hated democracy, who am I to disagree? The Founders recognized the inherent dangers of democratic government. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, called democracy “one […]

Peter SchorschMay 19, 2017

On Thursday, former U.S. Representative and lobbyist David Jolly emailed to express how “excited” he was to “announce the launch of Brighter Future Florida,” a non-profit organization designed to promote policies and issues he believes are important to Pinellas County. Never mind that Jolly soft opened BFF (what a perfect acronym for an organization connected to the unceasingly polite Jolly) […]

Martin DyckmanMay 19, 2017

There’s a $71-billion federal welfare program that costs more than aid to needy families, more than the earned income tax credit for working families, and almost as much as food stamps, but goes in great measure to people who don’t really need it. I’m on that dole. You may be, too. It’s the home mortgage […]

Emails & Opinions

Was it actually John Morgan who had financial conflicts in marijuana implementation?

Christopher Huff: Changing times demand a retreat from enduring fallacies of war between the states

Martin Dyckman: It’s always about the money

Sunburn for 5.22.17 – Decision time for Rick Scott; Speaker’s race drama; Phillip Levine floats indy run; Fla Dems circular firing squad; Laura Lenhart’s new gig

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Tobacco decision cheers one former judge

Blake Dowling: Who knows what innovation will bring next?

By the numbers, Adam Putnam’s campaign off to a successful start

Darryl Paulson: The Founders were right — democracy is flawed

David Jolly takes a page from former President Selina Meyer

Martin Dyckman: Home mortgage interest deduction, the third rail of real tax reform