Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJuly 6, 2014

Driving across Alabama the other day, I heard a political candidate on the car radio proudly declaring that, if elected, he will oppose Obamacare. Really, Alabama? You’re a state that’s above average in only two ways – college football and payments from Uncle Sam. Alabama is No. 11 when it comes to total federal spending […]

Julie DelegalJuly 6, 2014

Now that our collective blood pressure is returning to normal, feminists need to revisit the Hobby Lobby decision with more objectivity. In a nutshell, ladies, we’ve been duped. For those readers who’ve been living under a rock, the U.S. Supreme Court voted last week, 5-4, to do two things: First, they invented a new right […]

Guest AuthorJuly 6, 2014

Florida elections have become wars fought with emails, television spots, press releases, staged press conferences and mailers. There is always someone trying to dig up dirt on the opposition and others willing to push it across the web. There was a time when campaigning wasn’t so cutthroat. My father was an election commissioner for Washington […]

Guest AuthorJuly 6, 2014

As a mother and physician, it’s important for me to shed light on Amendment 2 and how I feel it will hurt our communities, neighbors and, most importantly, our children — just like pill mills did in the all-too-recent past. If Amendment 2 is successful, it unquestionably will be an open invitation for disreputable pot […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 3, 2014

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. … These eloquent and powerful words were composed by a man who owned 600 slaves during his lifetime. The pitiful […]

Guest AuthorJuly 3, 2014

Because of a credit rating downgrade by Moody’s Investors Service, Jacksonville will soon be paying higher interest rates on its debts. This may well divert millions of tax dollars from serving the city’s residents to enhancing the bottom line of Wall Street’s lenders. The Florida Legislature’s chronic failure to make major reforms in state and […]

Guest AuthorJuly 3, 2014

Central Florida is the state’s seat of hospitality – and perhaps the nation. The tourism industry’s mantra is “heads in beds,” the measure of economic payoff for having all those theme parks, hotels, restaurants and world-class airport facilities in our backyard. And now it’s time for the University of Central Florida to mirror the mantra […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2014

In a one-two punch from the Tampa Bay Times, columnists John Romano and Daniel Ruth both blame the lack of competitive legislative races this election cycle on the redistricting process. They believe gerrymandering has turned the system into an anti-Democratic incumbent protection plan. There’s no denying the lack of competitive (never mind interesting) legislative races […]

Bob SparksJuly 2, 2014

This fall it is safe to predict the election for Governor of Florida will be among the most watched races around the country. It’s OK. We’re accustomed to having the nation watch how we vote. There is no question this is a toss-up race. Those confidently predicting a winner, one way or the other, are […]

Bruce RitchieJuly 2, 2014

With a Florida Chamber of Commerce poll last week showing strong support for the proposed conservation lands amendment, the question lingers whether there will be organized opposition? Amendment 1 would earmark one-third of documentary stamp tax revenue for 20 years to the state Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Supporters say the amendment is needed because state […]

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This exhibit celebrates late-blooming artistry, proving it’s never too late for bold creativity.

Mark O’Brien: Nation’s sad new motto: Yes, we can’t

Julie Delegal: Health insurance is compensation for labor, not a boss’ handout

Rick Outzen: Elections do not have to be mean-spirited

Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos: Amendment 2 is bad medicine, bad policy

Martin Dyckman: Thomas Jefferson rationalized his slaveholding with racist nonsense

J. Robert McClure: Legislature’s failure to reform pensions contributes to Jacksonville’s woes

Rich Sloane: More ‘fans in stands’ can help boost UCF’s brand

Peter Schorsch: Don’t blame gerrymandering for lack of competitive races

Bob Sparks: Ten counties likely to sway governor election

Bruce Ritchie: Will there be any opposition to the conservation amendment?