Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorAugust 3, 2014

Another week, another Hail Mary attempt by the Florida League of Women Voters to drag Florida’s redistricting lawsuit into a smoke-filled room to have the league’s congressional maps used for this year’s election. Judge Terry Lewis ruled that two of Florida’s congressional districts do not meet the standards set in the Fair Districts amendment to […]

Guest AuthorAugust 1, 2014

Physicians interrogating and lecturing parents and children about guns is not about gun safety. It is a political agenda to ban guns. Despite the smokescreen deployed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Medical Association, one need only remember the policy statements and instructions posted on the AAP’s website years before Florida’s […]

Peter SchorschJuly 31, 2014

Writers like Carl Hiaasen have made careers pointing to the corruption and absurdity of Florida’s brand of government. But, despite our frequent failings, there have been a few bright shining moments when Floridians could point with pride to the innovations of their public officials. On rare occasion, there has been a positive confluence of visionary […]

Guest AuthorJuly 31, 2014

We need a state constitutional amendment to ban all wagering in Florida. Oddly, raising taxes is considered a cardinal sin, but gambling is supposedly a blessing — especially since the state began pimping it through the Florida Lottery. Republicans have consistently refused to increase taxes in a bad economy, in a good economy, and in […]

Julie DelegalJuly 31, 2014

Two weeks ago Context Florida asked why former Gov. Jeb Bush remained silent while more than 50,000 unaccompanied child-refugees crossed into the United States. The children fled violence in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. In those countries, drug cartels battle for power and kill people — children, included — who don’t fall in line with […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 30, 2014

In one of Bill Mauldin’s many memorable World War II “Stars and Stripes” cartoons, two Army officers stand on a cliff overlooking a picturesque French valley as sunlight streams through the clouds. “Beautiful view,” says one to the other. “Is there one for the enlisted men?” That cartoon came to mind the other day as […]

Daniel TilsonJuly 30, 2014

The 800-pound gorilla in the Tallahassee conference room with state economists this week is immensely powerful. It looms large in the minds of elected officials and policy wonks alike, waiting to pounce if necessary. It’s the beast of burden bearing the weight of Florida’s modern-day “wealth lobby.” And it’s always ready to throw that weight […]

Guest AuthorJuly 30, 2014

On July 12 Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip and began their operation to stop Hamas from attempting to destroy the Jewish state one rocket at a time and there’s no indication that the fighting will end soon. As each day passes, Israel’s “Operation Defensive Edge” is becoming a bloody, devastating war. The result is […]

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Among the country’s lower 48, Florida was a land of almost unequaled promise. Surrounded by navigable waters, the peninsula’s unique geography and pristine natural beauty beckoned all to visit and emigrate–and thrive. Mother Nature shined on the state, along with women like Marjory Stoneman Douglas (who saved the Everglades) and Barbara Capitman (who saved South […]

Dominic CalabroJuly 29, 2014

Florida schools will be back in session very soon, and the new school year brings plenty of changes. Students, teachers and parents will face new learning standards and a new assessment to test student achievement, but one thing will stay the same: the need for paper and pencils, clothes to wear, and maybe even a […]

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Jamie Miller: League of Women Voters loses credibility with redistricting case

Marion Hammer: Doctors’ warnings about guns are just part of a political agenda

Peter Schorsch: Florida should be a leader in regulation of medical marijuana

Stephen Goldstein: Gambling is for losers; we should ban it in Florida

Julie Delegal: Jeb Bush tacks right on child-refugee crisis

Martin Dyckman: King Ranch scandal shows why you need newspapers

Daniel Tilson: Florida needs its wealth taxes back

Steve Kurlander: Israeli offensive in Gaza is justified warfare against terrorism

Stephen Goldstein: 17 sensible initiatives to make Florida world-class

Dominic M. Calabro: Floridians benefit from back-to-school sales tax holiday