Emails & Opinions

Guest AuthorJune 6, 2017

The United States is in the midst of a public health crisis. Opioid addiction is taking mothers, fathers and children; destroying lives, breaking up families. The problem is particularly insidious in Florida, which has become a destination for rehabilitative services and sober home living. In the first part of 2016, approximately 2,600 people died from opioid overdoses in […]

Guest AuthorJune 6, 2017

Under the leadership of Gov. Rick Scott, the revival of the Florida economy has been marked by annual job growth and tourism rates that outpace the national average. The inextricable link between Florida’s investment in its tourism industry and this economic recovery is affirmed by the statistics. Visitor spending in Florida has increased by an […]

Guest AuthorJune 6, 2017

Marc Dunbar is one of Florida’s best-known gambling advocates. When it comes to pushing for more and bigger casinos, he wears the hats of a lawyer, lobbyist and investor. And so, call it a Freudian slip or just a moment of candor, it was interesting to hear someone from the inside let us all in […]

Joe HendersonJune 6, 2017

If you’re looking for the theme Gwen Graham will use in her run for governor, I think we have found it. After she raised $2.25 million in the first month since announcing her candidacy, Graham released a statement Tuesday that read in part: “Florida families understand that after almost twenty years of Republican rule in […]

Peter SchorschJune 6, 2017

What!? No medical marijuana in the call for a Legislative Special Session? OMG! Cue the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Would it be so awful if lawmakers returned and did not take up medical marijuana? Now, don’t get me wrong. I think they should. If they don’t, the Florida Department of Health will be left […]

Peter SchorschJune 6, 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 … Madeira Beach. That’s right, after 26 days, we’re back home and likely not leaving again for a very long time. As wonderful as our adventure was, there truly […]

Darryl PaulsonJune 6, 2017

Some readers may be incapable of getting beyond the title of this article. How in the world can anyone defend politicians and politics? It’s easy and, I would argue, necessary. One recent study found that Americans rank politicians lower than cockroaches. I hope Americans are expressing their frustration with politicians, but not their actual sentiments. […]

Guest AuthorJune 5, 2017

This week, the House of Representatives will consider an important financial reform package, known as the Financial CHOICE Act, which provides desperately needed relief to community financial institutions from the harmful, complex and excessive regulatory environment created by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act, signed into law by President Obama in July 2010, was more […]

Guest AuthorJune 5, 2017

The Florida House of Representatives has recently espoused a philosophy of not “picking winners and losers,” but House Bill 1A does just that. As I watched Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and Speaker Richard Corcoran announce their plans for a special session to discuss tourism funding, I felt hopeful for the fate of […]

Joe HendersonJune 5, 2017

After the budget compromise reached by Gov. Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the biggest question hanging over the Legislature’s three-day special session this week is whether there is enough time for some lawmakers to grow a backbone. Only one of two things can happen. There will either be a […]

Emails & Opinions

Timothy Stapleton: Fighting the opioid epidemic in the exam room

Pat Neal: Look to Colorado — cutting VISIT Florida funding would be disastrous

John Sowinski: Gambling lobbyist finally admits it – casinos prey on customers

Joe Henderson: Gwen Graham may have Democrats’ best message, but can she sell it?

Would it really be so bad if lawmakers didn’t take up pot during special session?

Sunburn for 6.6.17 – Graham trumps King; Ashley Moody’s BFF; WTF CRC?; Deal on pot for Special Session?; Rosanna Catalano’s new gig; Prayers for Orlando

Darryl Paulson: In defense of politics

Dennis Ross: Giving community banks, credit unions Financial CHOICE

Steve Hayes: Tourism industry in jeopardy with House Bill 1A

Joe Henderson: Tallahassee gets special session, the public gets the bill