Emails & Opinions

Peter SchorschJanuary 22, 2018

— Tampa Bay ranks third statewide in job creation — Tampa Bay added 28,000 new private-sector jobs in the last year, the third-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. In a statement this week from Gov. Rick Scott, Tampa Bay’s unemployment rate had dropped to 3.4 percent, down 1.1 percentage points from the same […]

Steve SchaleJanuary 21, 2018

Women_Farmers_in_Itoculu_Monapo_District_Mozambique.jpg

The first time I went to a “shithole,” I didn’t get nervous until the last few minutes of the flight. It was late December 2006, and we were headed to Guatemala to spend New Year’s with some good friends. As the plane descended toward the airport, it dawned on me — “Holy s*it, I am […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 20, 2018

Citizen groups, the Legislature and the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) are all able to change the state’s governing document, but constitutional amendments still have to pass the final test — the people. That means placement on the statewide ballot and getting at least 60 percent approval. But what governs the order of amendments on the […]

Blake DowlingJanuary 20, 2018

The political world has been full of scandals over the years regarding spying and eavesdropping. President Richard Nixon certainly ranks at the top of the list. Our current President may or may not be taping calls and meetings. Lots of U.S. presidents have taped conversations. Opinions differ on the practice, good documentation versus flat out […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 19, 2018

On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations committee heard a presentation from South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Ernie Marks on the status report of the reservoir project authorized by Senate Bill 10. Following the presentation, Appropriations Chair and Senate Bill 10 sponsor Rob Bradley expressed confidence in the district’s plans. But following the meeting, Senate […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 19, 2018

The Trump Tax Scam will put literally billions of dollars in the coffers of our richest corporations, money that would otherwise protect Social Security and Medicare, and pay for roads and bridges — just to name a few. But we can get that money back — and put it where it matters most. And it […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 19, 2018

Under our new tax code, Apple recently announced plans to invest $30 billion in the U.S. economy over the next five years, which would create more than 20,000 jobs. Companies like AT&T and Wells Fargo have also invested in new hiring, higher wages, or four-figure bonuses, if not all of the above. Overall, more than 125 U.S. employers have […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 19, 2018

Despite House vote to keep government open, outlook bleak in Senate Today is D-Day in Washington. Either the Senate approves a temporary spending bill, or a partial government shutdown — along with the blame game — begins. The House approved the measure, which contained a 6-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, 230-197 on […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 19, 2018

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. By Peter Schorsch, Phil Ammann, Ana Ceballos, Daniel McAuliffe, and Jim Rosica. As the 60-day Legislative Session heads into its third week, the high-stakes battle over the budget is about to start. House and Senate appropriations subcommittee chairs are expected to roll out their […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 19, 2018

As a member of Florida’s legal community, I take very seriously any proposed changes to our state’s constitution. In my role as a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), I will carefully weigh any proposal before us based on the need to have these proposals embedded in our state’s most powerful legal document. […]

Emails & Opinions

Not Just A Body Of Water — A weekly newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 1.21.18

Steve Schale: Ode to shitholes

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Getting 2018 ballot in ‘order’

Blake Dowling: Who is listening?

It’ll be magic if Joe Negron succeeds with new Lake O reservoir land buy

Andrew Gillum: How to get the Trump corporate giveaway back — and put it to work for Florida’s families

Dina Rubio: Tax cuts have already helped small businesses, like mine

The Delegation for 1.19.18 — Insights from the Beltway to the Sunshine State

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 1.19.18

Tim Cerio: Marsy’s Law for Florida brings fairness to criminal justice system