Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 15, 2015

In 1996 I was fresh out of college living in Bay City, Mich., and about to begin my first year as a paid volleyball coach. As many people in my situation, I was scared to death about my lack of experience and my potential inability to shape the hearts and minds of 15- to 18-year-old-volleyball […]

Peter SchorschApril 15, 2015

The last thing Democrat Annette Taddeo needs is another bump in the road on the so-far rocky campaign trail, but she may well have one on her hands. According to blogger and activist Jason Henry, Taddeo is not immune to some of the racially tinged criticisms that have befallen some of her Anglo counterparts in the Florida Democratic Party. Henry said that while he […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 15, 2015

The Southside Businessmen’s Club featured a sheriff’s debate during its weekly meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the San Jose Country Club, and everything about the event embodied southern gentility at its best. Local political standouts, like Bill Bishop (looking dapper in a navy blazer and a green polo) and Jay Farhat, were on hand to […]

Mitch PerryApril 15, 2015

The “Fight for 15” movement for fast-food and retailer workers advocating for higher wages and better treatment has been ongoing for more than two years. On this Tax Day it culminated in a protests in more than 200 cities across the country, including events at city hall in St. Petersburg and in Tampa’s Copeland Park. Although the movement […]

Bruce RitchieApril 15, 2015

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson said “climate change” three times during a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday in response to a senator’s question about whether there is a department policy against using the phrase. Steverson was responding to Sen. Darren Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee who was wearing a climate change button on […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 15, 2015

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee voted 8-1 to approve Liz Dudek‘s appointment as head of the state Agency for Health Care Administration but only after she answered more than an hour’s worth of questions regarding Low Income Pool funding, Medicaid expansion and how negotiations are evolving with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. […]

Melissa RossApril 15, 2015

Appearing in front of a fire station on the city’s Northwest Side, Mayor Alvin Brown touted the endorsements of the city’s Brotherhood of Police Officers and Firefighters, saying he’s got the better plan to improve Jacksonville’s public safety. The organizations primarily represent African-American police and fire personnel. As recently as December, their blessings were not […]

Bruce RitchieApril 15, 2015

Florida’s wildlife commission voted Wednesday to move forward with a rule to allow bear hunting in response to bear attacks and other encounters in urban areas. Florida had nearly 3,000 black bears in 2002, and they were removed from the state threatened species list in 2012. Bear hunting was banned by the state in 1994 […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 15, 2015

One day after receiving a letter from the federal government advising that uncompensated care pools were not a wise use of federal tax payer dollars, Florida’s leading Medicaid official fired off a letter Wednesday to the Department of Health and Human Services accusing the federal government of coercing Florida into expanding its Medicaid program. The […]

Phil AmmannApril 15, 2015

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Will Weatherford is the latest Florida Republican who will not run for Marco Rubio‘s U.S. Senate seat in 2016. Citing family obligations, the former House Speaker made the announcement Wednesday afternoon on Facebook: “There are many good candidates looking at a run for Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat next year but I will not be […]

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David Smith. Image via Florida House

Todd Dagenais: Get to know the custodians

Annette Taddeo represents problem blacks have with state Democrats

Jax Sheriff candidates talk Ferguson, North Charleston, and reform at a country club

Bob Buckhorn among speakers at Fight for 15 protest in Tampa

DEP’s Jon Steverson repeats “climate change” phrase at confirmation hearing

Senate grills, then confirms, AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek

Jacksonville’s black firefighters, police endorse Alvin Brown

FWC OKs bear-hunting proposal, final vote in June

Top Medicaid official warns feds not to “coerce” state into expansion

Will Weatherford not running for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat in 2016