Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJune 8, 2014

Last week Gov. Rick Scott signed a record-sized state budget for Florida, and it included record-sized wins for the Alzheimer’s community. From research, to hurricane and emergency preparations, to better screening practices, to respite care, the 2014 budget represents the most ambitious and forward-thinking agenda Florida has seen on Alzheimer’s to date. These wins were delivered […]

Guest AuthorJune 8, 2014

As I looked over the cliffs to the beaches leading to the sea, I was awestruck with a sense of history and American pride. All is calm today, much unlike June 6 70 years ago. It had been more than a year in the planning. Decoys had been staged in places as far north as […]

Guest AuthorJune 8, 2014

Must democracy be a scam? Today, the Florida Constitution has all the moral weight of a dry-cleaning ticket. That’s not the way that venerable document is usually perceived or how it’s supposed to be perceived. Yet, to be honest, that’s just the way it is — or how it has devolved. Politicians invoke the Constitution […]

Peter SchorschJune 5, 2014

Legally speaking, the charge facing former state Rep. Chris Dorworth is no more serious than attaching an invalid license plate to a vehicle. A second-degree misdemeanor for violating Florida’s Sunshine laws is just as wrong, in the court’s eyes, as disorderly intoxication or loitering, or driving with a suspended license. Aiding and abetting an elected official in […]

Daniel TilsonJune 5, 2014

University presidents should be special, but for the right reasons. This came to mind as Florida State University clumsily lurched along the road to picking a new president. Eric Barron resigned somewhat suddenly in early April, to take the presidency at Penn State. With a long pre-FSU faculty/administration history there, this was a “dream” move […]

Guest AuthorJune 5, 2014

Summer is right around the corner – that glorious time of year when parents and children take a break from life to concentrate on each other. But after the first morning ends in a bitter, half-hour argument about whether Family Guy is inappropriate or high-quality humor, then what? How about some math and reading? Unfortunately, […]

Guest AuthorJune 5, 2014

Every four years soccer fans around the globe focus on the FIFA World Cup, this year being held in Brazil. The national teams of countries compete to become World Cup champions in the name of patriotism and pride. I am a fan of almost all sports, but especially soccer – so I cannot contain my […]

Bruce RitchieJune 4, 2014

When he signed the 2014-15 state budget on Monday, Gov. Rick Scott decided not to veto $88.5 million in local water projects. The governor had vetoed more than $50 million in water projects during his previous three budget signings. Some supporters of environmental programs say the water projects need to go through a better review. […]

Guest AuthorJune 4, 2014

On Tuesday, I watched a man that I have long admired, Thad Cochran, fight to hold his seat in the U.S. Senate. With 99.5 percent of the votes counted, challenger Chris McDaniel and Cochran each have about 49 percent of the votes cast in this Mississippi Republican primary. They likely will meet again in a […]

Guest AuthorJune 4, 2014

Columnists are called to dissect and analyze tragedies, and last week’s horrible killing spree in California is no exception. We try to draw conclusions about why it happened, and how it might be prevented in the future. More gun laws. Better education about women’s equality. More and better services for people in psychological crisis. More and better services […]

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Peter Schorsch: Florida’s budget includes forward-thinking agenda on Alzheimer’s

John Grant: At Normandy, they did not die in vain

Stephen Goldstein: Florida elected officials trash constitutional amendments

Peter Schorsch: Dorworth guilty of not taking advantage of chances given him

Daniel Tilson: FSU president should be special for right reasons

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Make summer fun and full of learning

Erin O’Flaherty: Soccer needs to advance beyond its tinge of racism

Bruce Ritchie: When is a water project justified – or just legislative pork?

Rick Outzen: Tea Party-backed challenger poised to defeat respected senator

Julie Delegal: The California killer is a stranger who is very familiar