Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschApril 21, 2015

With just over two weeks left in the regular 2015 Legislative Session, former state Rep. James “Jamie” Grant is finally returning to House District 64. In what the Tampa Tribune called an “unnecessary and costly special general election,” Grant, 32, easily defeated write-in candidate Daniel Matthews to reclaim his place in Tallahassee. With absentee and early voting tabulated soon after polls […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 21, 2015

After a second poll since the First Election showed the campaigns of Alvin Brown and Lenny Curry in a very close contest on Tuesday, both campaigns had quick reaction. The Curry side, represented by Brian Hughes, optimistically predicted further gains with undecided voters, a position consistent with its contention that voters not in the mayor’s camp are […]

Mitch PerryApril 21, 2015

A task force formed to study severe racial disparities in discipline and graduation rates for black and Latino teen boys in Hillsborough County presented its recommendations to the school board Tuesday. The recommendations include revisions to the school handbook’s code of conduct, a student bill of rights, and sustainability, said task force member Manny Rivero, executive […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

I know I’m totally putting myself at risk by writing this column, and openly admitting to something the authorities consider irrefutable evidence of irresponsible parenting. There have been many articles recently published about parents doing something similar to what I’ve done, and those parents were subsequently questioned by police officers. A few have been arrested. […]

Bob SparksApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Martin DyckmanApril 21, 2015

The delusional Don Quixote, who fancied himself a knight errant and galloped headstrong into battle with windmills he believed to be giants, has become a metaphor and an adjective – quixotic – for people who dare to pursue impossible dreams. He was, of course, a figure of fiction, not fact. What shall we say, then, […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

As Americans, we cherish our basic rights and our fundamental freedoms. Perhaps the most cherished right, and one that makes us unique in the world, is the one guaranteeing us the freedom to openly speak our minds. As the world’s first republic to put this in our nation’s charter document, we have a guaranteed right […]

Mitch PerryApril 21, 2015

The Hillsborough County School Board on Tuesday approved a two-year contract for new superintendent Jeff Eakins that will pay him $225,000 annually beginning July 1. It then must be approved by the board on an annual basis beginning in 2018. The audience at the school board meeting erupted in cheers after his contract was unanimously OK’d […]

Mitch PerryApril 21, 2015

Tampa’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says she is leaning against giving “fast track” authority to President Obama for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal involving the U.S. and 11 South American and Pacific Rim nations that if enacted would be the largest trade deal since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) […]

Mitch PerryApril 21, 2015

President Barack Obama is scheduled to host congressional leaders of both parties at the White House Tuesday to cheer on a recently passed bill that makes reforms to Medicare. The bill eliminated Congress’s two-decade-old Medicare payment problems known as the “doc fix,” and has been hailed as a rare form of bipartisanship in Washington. “If this bill had […]

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A businesswoman putting coin into piggy bank and a light bulb over coins stack on the table for saving money and financial concept

Jamie Grant wins special election in House District 64

Jacksonville campaigns react to latest poll

Hillsborough School Board hears minority task force report

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I let my boys walk home alone; go ahead, cuff me

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Martin Dyckman: Mailman delivers message; cash delivers Congress

John Knight: Don't exercise right to protest walk by Lauren's Kids

Hillsborough County schools hire new superintendent

Kathy Castor leans toward voting no on Trans-Pacific Partnership

Kathy Castor, Tampa health officials hail “doc fix” Medicare bill