Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanDecember 3, 2014

As if American students don’t already face enough standardized tests, here comes another. Legislatures in eight states are considering adding success on a civics test to the requirements for high school graduation. Florida isn’t one of them, but it can’t be long before test-happy Tallahassee adopts the idea, which surfaced most recently in North Dakota. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 3, 2014

At this time of year, there’s always a bit of interest in speculation over who our last standing American newsmagazine, Time, will choose as its Person of the Year. A year ago the newsweekly tabbed Argentina-born Pope Francis with that honor. Coming in second was government whistleblower Edward Snowden. In Laura Poitras’ electrifying new documentary Citizenfour (now playing exclusively at […]

Guest AuthorDecember 3, 2014

It’s final-exam week at the University of Central Florida — and at many other Florida colleges and universities. Students have returned to campus after the Thanksgiving break, bellies full of turkey and trimmings, heads full of anxiety as big tests loom and grades hang in the balance. For faculty, there’s a heady rush of knowing […]

Associated PressDecember 3, 2014

A federal appeals court refused Wednesday to extend past Jan. 5 a hold on a ruling that declared Florida’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, possibly bringing same-sex weddings one step closer to reality. The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also said Wednesday it will consider the substance of the state’s appeal on an […]

Mitch PerryDecember 3, 2014

This Thursday night the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee will choose on whether or not they want to retain their current chair Mark Hanisee, or go in a different direction and support his challenger, vice-chair Susan McGrath. Hanisee was initially elected in 2010, and won re-election in 2012. And there is a possibility of another […]

Daniel TilsonDecember 2, 2014

Gov. Rick Scott and his minions proved last week that they view middle-class Florida consumers as mostly slow-witted turkeys ready to be roasted to a crisp and gobbled up by corporate gluttons. While most of us were distracted by shopping, cooking, traveling and other Thanksgiving preparations, Scott’s hand-picked five-member Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to […]

Guest AuthorDecember 2, 2014

And now the corruption begins. There’s no other honest word for it. For average Floridians, the November election is over, whether they voted or not. Most didn’t bother. But for those major contributors who bought it, it’s payback time. The political game is played between elections when the public isn’t looking. It’s all about the […]

Phil AmmannDecember 2, 2014

Duval County School Board Member Jason Fischer is looking to take his brand of conservative values and education reforms to Tallahassee. The Jacksonville native and former CSX executive filed paperwork this week for a 2016 run as a Republican for House District 16, currently held by state Rep. Charles McBurney, who is serving his final […]

Mitch PerryDecember 2, 2014

A new report says that two-year and four-year degrees are “little more than modern myths” considering how few students actually finish their degrees in that amount of time. The study from Complete College America says that in American higher education, it’s become the accepted standard to measure graduation rates at four-year colleges on a six-year time frame, […]

Guest AuthorDecember 1, 2014

Thanksgiving in my house was probably a lot like it is in most others. It’s a day for faith, family, food and football. It was a day to gather together under one roof and reflect on the blessings we’ve been given as a family. We were joined by my mother, and that’s a blessing in […]

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Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

Martin Dyckman: Watch for yet another standardized test — this one on civics

Mitch Perry: In electrifying film ‘Citizenfour,’ we rediscover why Edward Snowden’s revelations were so big

Rick Brunson: Listen up – this is the most meaningful part of my job

U.S. court won't extend Florida gay marriage stay

Who will lead the Pinellas County Democrats?

Daniel Tilson: Team Scott makes it a happy Thanksgiving for Florida energy monopolies

Stephen Goldstein: What will Florida GOP contributors expect for their millions?

Duval County School Board Member Jason Fischer files to run for House District 16 seat

Mitch Perry Report – 12.2.14

Marco Rubio: Raise ladders of opportunity, not just the minimum wage