Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Daniel TilsonSeptember 24, 2014

Can Florida politics succeed where sports has failed? Can we get a grip on dangerous social reality, recognize the seriousness of the challenge, and take the right actions to meet it? When news first broke about Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice’s violent abuse of his fiancée, the NFL swept it under the artificial turf. […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 23, 2014

If the Legislature decrees that two plus two equals five or that water runs uphill, does that make it so? A similar question is percolating in the Florida courts. Does a blind trust constitute “full and public disclosure” of the financial interests of a public official? Common sense says no. A law passed in 2013 […]

Bruce RitchieSeptember 23, 2014

When Gov. Rick Scott last year announced Florida was suing Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court over water use, he selected a scenic view along Apalachicola Bay that had been purchased with state and local dollars. The Apalachicola Riverfront Park encourages tourism by providing a place where busy seafood festivals are held and where visitors […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 23, 2014

Each year, millions of tourists visit Florida. The revenue collected from the state’s thriving tourism-centered economy helps keep tax rates low for our full-time residents and businesses. The more visitors the state attracts, the more revenue is collected through sources like sales taxes and bed taxes. But the tourism industry does much more than pad […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 23, 2014

We live in a fast-paced society, driven by technology and air conditioners. What would be the motivation for someone to get outside their box and go outside? I have spent most of my life outdoors. I identify with nature; it is my home. But too many miss the opportunity to understand the value and relationship […]

Shannon NickinsonSeptember 22, 2014

Kindergarten isn’t what it used to be. Back in the day, kindergarten was a place to learn to work and play well with others. Letter, numbers, a little “See Spot Run.” That’s the way I remember Mrs. Graham’s class at Waverly School. Kids today start out behind the curve if they wait until kindergarten to […]

Bob SparksSeptember 22, 2014

The latest blowup between Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Democratic “establishment” poses the greatest danger yet to the Broward County congresswoman’s continued employment at the DNC. This hit is nothing less than a political Seal Team mission. It was a stealth operation conducted by well-placed, unnamed sources designed to inflict maximum […]

Marc YachtSeptember 22, 2014

Refugees escaping dangerous countries are traditionally welcomed to U.S. shores. Jewish refugees came through Ellis Island circa 1910 to escape Russia. Cuban refugees poured into Florida in 1959. They left family and possessions to escape Castro’s communism. The U.S. welcomed the “Lost Boys of Somalia” and other victims of rape and torture in the 90s. […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 22, 2014

Florida State University trustees should not select state Sen. John Thrasher as the university’s next president when they vote today. Not on the grounds faculty and students claim: he lacks academic credentials, prefers creationist myths to sound science, and conveniently forgot several of his key votes on climate change. But for more compelling reasons: — […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 21, 2014

A misogynistic, vile, expletive punctuated public outburst on Florida State University campus would have been unacceptable for any college student. For the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and FSU starting quarterback Jameis Winston, the outburst was way out of bounds. Just as FSU has ramped up its kNOw MORE anti-sexual violence campaign, Winston stands on a […]

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Daniel Tilson: Ray Rice, Jameis Winston and Rick Scott: New normals?

Martin Dyckman: Blind trusts protect the politicians, not the taxpayers

Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Scott is circumventing funding formula for conservation

Jerry Parrish: Attracting 100 million tourists would create 121,000 jobs, report says

Alaina Bernard: Get outside the box – and go outside!

Shannon Nickinson: Testing students is fine — until it interferes with educating them

Bob Sparks: Debbie Wasserman Schultz administration winding down

Marc Yacht: Pasco County should be helping refugee children, not hindering them

Chris Timmons: Thrasher is the wrong choice for new FSU president

Andrew Skerritt: FSU survives Clemson; can its reputation survive ‘Jameis being Jameis’?