Emails & Opinions

Joe HendersonFebruary 23, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott has added a new title to his resume in the last few weeks – lame duck. Sure, he officially retains the job of Florida governor until a successor takes over in 2019, but for all intents, it appears a majority of state House members aren’t waiting until then to stop listening to […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 2017

A familiar narrative in the debate over solar energy in Florida follows a “David and Goliath” theme. Cast as Goliath are the state’s largest utilities; playing David are “little guy” rooftop solar companies trying to make it in the utility’s shadow. However, a recent New York Times article rejects that account, exposing some of the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron’s plan to buy land south of Lake Okeechobee could cost the Florida economy 4,148 jobs and $695 million a year, according to a new report from conservative think tank James Madison Institute. The report, titled “$ticker $hock,” estimates the land buy would have a direct negative impact of $345 million and […]

Florence SnyderFebruary 23, 2017

President Donald Trump ought to give Jackie Evancho the meeting she asked for. He owes her bigly. The sixteen-year-old musical prodigy performed the national anthem at Trump’s inauguration, adding a huge dose of class to the festivities and sparing a grateful nation from another round of DJ Ravidrums, Toby Keith and Three Doors Down. Evancho’s […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 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. STORY MORE IMPORTANT THAN POLITICS: 7 EARTH-SIZE WORLDS FOUND ORBITING STAR; COULD HOLD LIFE For the first time ever, astronomers have discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a nearby star — and these […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2017

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Nearly four years have passed since the truce was called in the decades-long “eyeballs war” between Florida optometrists and ophthalmologists. But with the Legislative Session approaching, that fragile peace seems all but finished. Optometrists are seemingly going back on their word, working behind the scenes to file legislation to […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 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. EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! With two more weeks till the 2017 Legislative Session, the battle lines already are being drawn between Richard Corcoran’s House of Representatives and Gov. Rick Scott. Whoops, there we […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2017

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Registered governmental affairs firms, representing virtually every industry in Florida, reported earning more than $31.75 million from October 1 to December 31 of 2016 to lobby the Florida Legislature. FloridaPolitics.com previously reported which firms made what, with Ballard Partners leading all firms in Q4 compensation. The 2016 Q4 numbers were down slightly from the 2015 Q4 numbers ($31.75 mil to […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 22, 2017

Is Florida’s judicial ethics commission about to become collateral damage in a battle over the independence of the courts? House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Land O’Lakes Republican, appears to have targeted the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) along with the courts themselves in his campaign to curb the independence of the judiciary. The JQC and the […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 21, 2017

This past year has seen our country feeling more divided than ever before. The 2016 election took its toll, with candidates up and down the ballot partaking in name calling and disrespectful attacks. While political incivility is nothing new, this past year saw a new low for our nation’s discourse. With public trust in Congress […]

Emails & Opinions
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts.

Rick Scott’s newest title – lame duck

SolarCity’s questionable business practices a warning for Florida solar debate?

James Madison Institute says Lake O land buy could cost economy $695 million

If Donald Trump won’t man up, meet with teen, maybe Betsy DeVos will

Sunburn for 2.23.17 – Rick Scott’s sky-high approval ratings; Richard Corcoran says ‘hell no’ to what?; Bill Nelson targeted

We told you so; Eyeball Wars set to begin anew

Sunburn for 2.22.17 – Session is coming; Lyft & Uber bill heads to floor; Negron’s nice CRC picks; press conferences galore

Known unknowns: Trying to divine the real numbers in the lobbying compensation reports

Judicial ethics watchdog could suffer in fight for independent Florida courts

Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer: Leading the way in civility – Florida’s new members of Congress