Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

In the eyes of Bill Day, the 2015 Legislative Session has been … interesting … so far for Republican Rep. Frank Artiles. Only hours before the fall of the opening gavel, the Miami-area Republican was having pre-session drinks at Clydes & Costello’s, a popular Tallahassee bar. About 1:30 a.m., Artiles, a former Marine Corps sergeant, is […]

Mitch PerryMarch 11, 2015

A group of Spanish-language journalists and community leaders this month sent a letter to the respective chairs of the Florida Republican and Democratic parties, calling on them to hire a bilingual spokesperson to “successfully relay your message to the Latino media.” “Our intent here is to convince you that Hispanic engagement is crucial, no matter the political […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 11, 2015

The Republican-dominated Florida House quietly acknowledged Wednesday that gay people have the right to adopt children when they supported a bill amendment that removes a gay-adoption ban from law. The vote came five years after an appeal court ruled that the state’s gay-adoption ban is unconstitutional. Then-Gov. Charlie Crist refused to appeal the decision. While […]

Mitch PerryMarch 11, 2015

Like it or not, Hollywood productions, like sports owners, have been able to play cities and states against each other for years to get the best deal for themselves. Tampa Bay area residents are all too familiar with getting burned by giving welfare to rich folks. You don’t have to have lived in the area […]

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 11, 2015

A vote on a plan to pay off Jacksonville’s Police and Fire pension debt will have to wait at least another two weeks. Citing concerns recently raised regarding mortality tables Council President Clay Yarbrough on Tuesday sent the bill back to its three committees. The bill was expected to be voted upon at the meeting. […]

Guest AuthorMarch 11, 2015

I’ve often heard the saying that “those who refuse to study history are destined to repeat it.” Well, what about those who refuse to examine the present? Recently, the director of the Children and Adults Health Programs in the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) at CMS revealed what those of us in the world of […]

Guest AuthorMarch 11, 2015

Only two months into the New Year and already the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has started to release polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, resulting in water flowing into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, and the Indian River Lagoon, which is expected to continue over the coming weeks and months. Millions of Floridians are […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

Marco Rubio, a prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidate, floated a few “new economic ideas” during an appearance at a recent legislative conference of the International Association of Firefighters. Rubio’s plans went over with the firefighters like a lead balloon, according to a new email from the Florida Democratic Party. The email — subject: “Marco Rubio […]

William MarchMarch 11, 2015

In what one legislator called a “long-delayed meeting,” Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislative Black Caucus discussed race relations, economic deprivation and health care in sometimes confrontational language Tuesday, finding little common ground. Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, caucus chairman, said afterward he heard “non-responses” from Scott. “The blood of the community is boiling” over […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2015

Red-light cameras appear to have little or no effect on safety in many areas in Florida, according to a new report by WTSP 10 Investigates. But the state failed to include that information in its annual review of the program. Most of Florida cities and counties with the controversial RLC-monitored intersections have reported crash statistics […]

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The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

Bill Day’s latest: Insult, injury follow Frank Artiles from Day One

Florida political parties answer request for bilingual PR people -In English only

House bill would remove gay-adoption ban from law

Mitch Perry Report for 3.11.15 — Film incentives bill takes firstst step in Tally

Jax City Council delays police, fire pension debt decision

Sal Nuzzo: We who oppose federal socialized medicine salute you!

Eric Eikenberg: To stop polluting rivers, buy land for reservoir

Email insights: Dems say Marco Rubio won’t bamboozle with “tired” tax plans

Rick Scott, black legislators find little common ground

DHSMV review of red-light cameras failed to include crash increases, WTSP reports