Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieAugust 10, 2014

Former U. S. Senator Bob Graham was back on the campaign trail this month, and he said he’s loving it. Graham’s daughter, Gwen Graham, is running as a Democrat for Congress against Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City. Last week, she wrapped up an eight-day “Grilling with the Grahams” tour of the congressional district’s 14 counties […]

Marc YachtAugust 10, 2014

As a longtime public employee and a current political candidate, I have met political hopefuls and incumbents who have made me appreciate the courage of those seeking office. As the retired Pasco County Health Department Director, I never doubted the devotion of my 215 employees to make Pasco County a healthier community. The department’s nurses […]

Guest AuthorAugust 7, 2014

Most everyone who believes in compassion supports the idea of medicinal marijuana for debilitating conditions, which is envisioned in Constitutional Amendment 2 and will be before voters on November 4. What most voters do not yet understand is how flawed the wording is for Amendment 2. The author of this amendment specifically wrote it so […]

Guest AuthorAugust 7, 2014

I am beginning to think that taking an “ignorecation” from social media might be in order as we approach election season. Who am I kidding? Election season runs year-round these days; only the intensity of duplicity rises the closer we get. Perhaps it comes with age, but as time passes you begin to notice the […]

Shannon NickinsonAugust 7, 2014

How do we make a difference in a child’s future? One answer comes from a study released in June by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Over nearly 30 years they studied about 800 kids from first grade until their late 20s. Kids whose parents were married and working fared better. Most kids from […]

Guest AuthorAugust 7, 2014

In the nearly two decades that I’ve coached women’s volleyball, I’ve recruited and coached hundreds of players and met hundreds of their parents, all of whom have one thing in common: When it comes to their kids, they are the loudest cheerleaders in the gym. As a parent myself, I get it. You should be […]

Daniel TilsonAugust 6, 2014

“Let’s Keep Florida Beautiful” is the name of Gov. Rick Scott’s new environmental plan unveiled this week on his website and in multiple public appearances. Team Scott took a “timing is everything” approach to the proposal, introducing it just as news was breaking that billionaire businessman and climate change activist Tom Steyer is targeting the […]

Guest AuthorAugust 6, 2014

My daughter’s report card arrived home last week. Belatedly. She had been out of town and her charter school refused to mail it. My daughter collected it in person. For her, the news was good but somewhat ambiguous. But for us, the parents, it meant more questions than answers. For her classes, my daughter earned […]

Guest AuthorAugust 6, 2014

No one yelled “go back where you came from.” No one made political speeches. There were no hateful protests in the hot sun. No one even grumbled. Instead, we slipped aside to make room for them for the three-hour trip back to Key West from the Dry Tortugas. Clean clothes, food, water, a promise of […]

Guest AuthorAugust 6, 2014

Whenever we’re home in Florida, our constituents always ask us about the country’s finances. The American people instinctively know that running mindless deficits and carrying an unsustainable debt hurts our country and their families. They also know that a balanced budget cannot come without tough choices. Unfortunately, history has shown that Congress refuses to make […]

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Bruce Ritchie: Bob Graham is back on the campaign trail helping daughter Gwen

Marc Yacht: Government is not the problem or the enemy

Barney Bishop: Flawed Amendment 2 exempts pot industry from liability

Ed Moore: Social media and the election season: A need for a civility of attitude

Shannon Nickinson: Pensacola’s future depends on investing in its young children

Todd Dagenais: Parents of young athletes need to keep everything in perspective

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott’s 2014 environmental self-protection plan

Andrew Skerritt: Parents are the X-factor in the calculus of public education

Linda Cunningham: The United States should put children before politics

Reps. Jolly and Murphy: Putting partisanship aside and making tough choices