Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorFebruary 18, 2015

He worked for six Florida governors and two presidents, helped found 1000 Friends of Florida, and is active in the Everglades Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. His resume is impressive. But the Apollo School Foundation, kicking off a new speaker series, wanted Nathaniel Reed, 81, well-known as a storyteller, to share his childhood […]

Marc YachtFebruary 18, 2015

Debates are often driven by data, and each side of the issue will find figures supporting its position. Can such rhetoric be trusted? No! The misuse of data can be shown with job growth claims on both sides of the aisle. Unemployment rates top the list of voter concerns. In Democratic states the Ds will […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 18, 2015

There is a reason we study Russian and European history as an integral part of our history curriculum. History is required from pre-K to college because it is a vital part of knowing how you and your country came to be. History also helps shape perceptions about the people being studied. However, no matter how […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2015

Adding to an increasingly probable bid for the White House in 2016, Jeb Bush has been busy courting GOP members from his home state of Florida. The former governor has now snagged firm support from least five members of Florida’s GOP congressional delegation, with several others leaning his way. This aggressive move is in clear […]

James CallFebruary 18, 2015

Jennifer Tschetter, the Department of Health’s General Counsel, will become Secretary John Armstrong’s Chief of Staff at the end of the month. Tschetter was part of the group which crafted regulations for the state medicinal marijuana law that an administrative judge ruled invalid. The proposal came under fire for, among other things, including a lottery […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 18, 2015

As hundreds of environmentalists gathered for a rally outside of the Capitol on Wednesday, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli fired back that nobody “wants us to have dirty water.” About 400 people attended the rally for clean water and Amendment 1, the water and land conservation funding initiative approved by 75 percent of voters in November. They […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2015

Advocates for repealing Florida’s Prohibition-era laws separating alcohol and grocery sales scored a significant victory Wednesday from a House committee. House Business and Professions Subcommittee passed HB 107, a proposal from Sarasota Republican state Rep. Greg Steube seeking to repeal the law preventing liquor stores and retailers from selling spirits in the same aisle as beer […]

James CallFebruary 18, 2015

Speaker Steve Crisafulli said if there is a problem with last year’s Charlotte’s Web law then people need to talk to him. The Compassionate Cannabis Medical Act of 2014 allows for the growing of marijuana and dispensing cannabis oil as medicine. Dispensing of the medicinal oil to treat a severe form of epilepsy has been […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 18, 2015

A few weeks back, Melissa Ross took a look at the big money flowing into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Race, as seven candidates vie to replace Sheriff John Rutherford. Because of the fundraising prowess of most of the candidates — 6 of the 7 have raised at least $112k — it’s a reasonable bet that the March […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2015

Speaker Steve Crisafulli told FloridaPolitics.com in a pre-session interview that he supports an ongoing effort on behalf of St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes and once-and-future Tampa state Rep. Jamie Grant to pass a statewide framework to legalize Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing businesses, which are, as of now, operating in something of a legal gray space. Crisafulli joins a […]

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Jogger runs by Tampa Bay on Oct. 9 ahead of Milton. Image via AP.

Sally Swartz: Nathaniel Reed's Old Florida included movie stars and snakes

Marc Yacht: What's really going on with jobs?

Anthony Major: History of black inventors needs more coverage

Jeb Bush leads Marco Rubio in support among Florida GOP delegation

Staff shake-up at DOH

Nobody wants dirty water, says House Speaker in response to Amendment 1 rally

Bill to repeal state alcohol/grocery separation law passes Florida House committee

Steve Crisafulli to Charlotte’s Web advocates: Talk to me

Jacksonville Sheriff race is still in flux

Steve Crisafulli supportive of Uber legislation, says progress is all but inevitable