Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorOctober 25, 2015

It’s already been a sad week for black bears in Florida. On Saturday, the first day of the big Florida black bear hunt, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stopped the hunting in Central Florida after 99 bears were killed, just one under the quota for that region’s weeklong season. Statewide, 207 bears were […]

Guest AuthorOctober 25, 2015

There are reforms occurring in Florida’s education system, and we have the opportunity to improve our education system and further advance Florida students’ progress. Florida’s State Board of Education will soon determine our state’s “cut scores” on state-administered tests, and set the new standard for proficiency, the mastery and in-depth knowledge of core subject areas. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 23, 2015

Dear Bear Hunters, It’s strange to me that you consider killing living things a sport. That you smile over the carcass of a once-living thing and revel in your kill both shocks and offends me. Killing animals for food is one thing – cows are cute, but I love me some steak – but to […]

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2015

It’s important for the public to know what legislative change means for our everyday lives. All too often common-sense policies are influenced by special interests and therefore compromise public benefit. For example, Acts H.R. 976 and H.R. 2513 appear to help improve our healthcare system, but in reality they would re-establish a bad policy for […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

Finally, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has lost its credibility. Its credibility as a governing body. Its credibility as a professional organ. Its credibility as a guardian of the best interests of FAMU. Its credibility in its ongoing dispute with FAMU President Elmira Mangum, which reached a point of high camp at a […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

I remember when Sundays were about jazz, yoga and mimosas. Long walks and picnics in the park. A day to relax and reconnect with loved ones. Then my kids started high school. Now Sundays are a variety of things, none of them peaceful. Projects suddenly due the next day so we have to haul ass […]

Associated PressOctober 21, 2015

Amid a deepening rift that has split top Republicans, the Florida Senate may require voters in 2016 to pick senators for all forty of the state’s current Senate districts. The move may end a growing and contentious debate that has threatened to derail the 19-day special session that started this week. The GOP-controlled Florida Legislature […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

A theater student recently came to my office a little on the glum side. He was acting in a production that had received a less-than-favorable review and wasn’t taking it well. He had taken the writer’s words to heart and it was affecting his performance. To be honest, I felt a little responsible for his […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

Thousands of trophy hunters will descend on Florida’s wilderness to kill an estimated 320 Florida black bears, a unique subspecies of the American black bear that’s found nowhere else on Earth. The state is holding this hunt starting Saturday despite most Floridians’ opposition to it. Nearly 3,000 hunting permits have been sold. Kate MacFall, Florida […]

Steve PeoplesOctober 21, 2015

Don’t expect Democrats to take down Donald Trump. If the GOP’s baffled establishment wants to dismiss their party’s billionaire presidential front-runner, it appears they’ll have to do it themselves. Quietly pleased the brash real estate mogul and reality TV star has become the face of the modern-day GOP, Democrats who specialize in opposition research are […]

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Michael Sainato: Black bears, good science on losing end as hunt begins

Tom Feeney: Raising Florida’s academic bar can result in a more productive workforce

Janelle Irwin: An open letter to the 3,200 people hoping to kill bears over the next week

Barney Bishop: Self-promoting physician-owned hospitals will put patients at risk

Chris Timmons: In battle with university president, FAMU’s Board of Trustees has lost its credibility

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I apologize in advance – for all the itching

Florida Senate may require senators to be on 2016 ballot

Heather Gibson: For the next time someone says something bad about your work

Kate MacFall: Florida’s black bears in hunters’ sights starting Saturday

Donald Trump’s Republican critics pushing for GOP-backed takedown