Emails & Opinions

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2017

Illegal gambling is like cockroaches: You kill one and there are dozens more when it came from. Back in 2013, a multi-state illegal gambling investigation embarrassed the Legislature, resulted in dozens of arrests and eventually took down a lieutenant governor. Jennifer Carroll stepped down because, before her election, she provided public-relations representation to the company being […]

Peter SchorschApril 12, 2017

It’s no secret that the United States is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid abuse, overdoses and deaths, with Florida emerging as an epicenter. Nevertheless, several Tallahassee lawmakers, albeit unwittingly, may soon contribute to this wildfire of a crisis, a casualty of the latest battle in Florida’s Eyeball Wars. Few can argue the […]

Guest AuthorApril 11, 2017

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If nothing else, the intense debate over how to implement legalized medical marijuana in Florida has given many of us a crash course in business economics, government regulation and medical protocols. We’ve heard hours of discussion on such topics as vertical versus horizontal business structures, free-markets versus exclusivity, and physician discretion versus government prescription. Missing […]

Guest AuthorApril 11, 2017

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For so long, prosecutors have repeated the mantra that the death penalty is needed for murder victims’ families and to provide them justice. This idea developed into an unquestioned assumption that guided many district attorneys in handling cases and crafting campaign messages. Yet the recent announcement by State Attorney Aramis Ayala of Orlando, Florida, to […]

Joe HendersonApril 11, 2017

Florida Democrats have become such a non-factor in state politics that the real drama frequently becomes which faction of the Republican party will prevail on a given issue. Think about it. We have had knockdown, drag-outs between the GOP-controlled House and Senate. This year the main event has been the ongoing feud between Republican Gov. […]

Darryl PaulsonApril 11, 2017

What little Americans know about the filibuster is due to James Stewart‘s portrayal of Senator Jefferson Smith in the classic movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. In the movie, Senator Smith filibusters a fraudulent land deal until finally collapsing on the Senate floor. This past week, it was the filibuster that collapsed on the Senate […]

Peter SchorschApril 11, 2017

Chris King, the newly announced Democratic candidate for Florida governor, wants to “lift up” homegrown businesses. Apparently, those homegrown businesses include those in Los Angeles and Silverdale, Washington. In a YouTube video posted last week, the Winter Park affordable housing executive offers his vision of the state of Florida politics. “We need a whole new […]

Peter SchorschApril 11, 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. DO NOT LET THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD, MR. SPEAKER If the last week offered the turning point of the 2017 Legislative Session — Senate President Joe Negron‘s scaling back his Everglades […]

Guest AuthorApril 10, 2017

Florida’s black bears are once again under threat of trophy hunters invading their forest homes and shooting them for no reason. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may revisit the issue of a Florida statewide hunt on black bears, and it is time for citizens to let them know we want our bears protected […]

Guest AuthorApril 10, 2017

In an effort to protect their turf, the health plans behind Florida’s managed care program for Medicaid recipients keep saying they help many older Floridians move from nursing homes to live in community settings. What they fail to tell you is that these elders are just a small fraction of nursing home residents – the […]

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

With ‘pre-reveal’ games, it’s déjà vu all over again

A dangerous consequence of Florida’s Eyeball Wars; throwing gasoline on the state’s wildfire opioid crisis

Jim DeBeaugrine: Revenue from medical marijuana for treatment, prevention would be minimal

Darlene Farah: Prosecutors recognize death penalty’s harm to victims’ families

Joe Henderson: Democrats may finally get the message that they need, well, a message

Darryl Paulson: The filibuster, the nuclear option and the future of American politics

Professing love for Florida business, Chris King video uses stock footage from LA, Washington

Sunburn for 4.11.17 – Letting them eat cake; House demand apropos records; Pam Bondi sued; Herald wins two Pulitzers

Kate MacFall: Florida black bears under threat again, for no reason

Emmett Reed: Who best entrusted with senior care – caregivers or insurers?