Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorFebruary 4, 2014

“For the powerful, crimes are those that others commit.” ― Noam Chomsky Beginning in the 20th Century, Americans have had an inexplicable fascination with Hollywood stars and musical icons that, in turn, have given these celebrities great cultural and political power. Such unbounded supremacy has spawned an unfettered disregard of illicit behavior in that world […]

Daniel TilsonFebruary 3, 2014

I knew something was up with worrisome fans of Charlie Crist when my recently visiting mother-in-law, a solid Democrat, expressed both fondness and concern for Florida’s former governor. She put it plain and simple, in the same nutshell as plenty of others like her at Sun City and other such vote-rich condo colonies have been […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2014

Hypothetically, what would you think if a government agency announced it needed $45 million to replace an 8-year-old building that was suffering from serious structural problems? If you’re anything like me, you’d want to know a bit more. Who had the contract to build the place? How much did it cost? How bad was the […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2014

What if I told you that Florida has a law that that if you use it, you increase your chances of spending time in prison and being dependent on government services for most of your life? How about if I told you that 10 other states have this same law? Well, we and they do […]

Marc YachtFebruary 3, 2014

The debate between proponents and detractors of the Common Core standards is often strident and rarely enlightening. Opponents charge that the standards are part of a federal government plot to control America’s public schools. Proponents say our children have fallen behind students from Europe and Pacific Rim nations and that the tougher standards will help […]

Dan GelberFebruary 2, 2014

Maybe it’s because people who go to soup kitchens tend not to vote in large numbers, or don’t write six and seven figure checks to his re-election campaign. Maybe it’s because he figures impoverished children should show some industry and simply rummage through the garbage for their vegetables. Or maybe it’s because he just doesn’t care. But […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2014

When I was first elected, one of the first lobbyists to darken my door was a highly paid man who was lobbying for “highway safety” in Florida. He said he was representing a non-profit group that was concerned that the recent conversion of highway signs to metric was a safety hazard as people took their […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2014

Another day, and another positive environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL pipeline was released Friday by the U.S. Department of State. This is great news. The Keystone XL pipeline would increase Canadian oil imports from 2 million to 5 million barrels per day — great news for U.S. energy security. A $7 billion privately […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2014

A bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill passed the U.S. Senate almost eight month ago. An identical bill, H.R. 15, has been sitting in the House of Representatives for more than four months and has 195 co-sponsors — a sponsor from every state in the Union. Despite widespread support in the House, Speaker John Boehner is […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 30, 2014

Any closed door can be opened. Such is the case of medical marijuana and the State of Florida. Twenty states have legalized medical marijuana in the past few years, while the conservative Florida Legislature ramped up its war against the drug. It is ironic that Florida is known throughout the country as THE destination for […]

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Steve Kurlander: Americans ignore the bad behavior of celebrities

Daniel Tilson: Crist book tour rewrites Gov. Scott’s ‘earned media’ playbook

Doug Clifton: Fighting government secrecy takes patience, money

Ed Moore: We need to significantly reduce the number of high-school dropouts

Dr. Marc Yacht: Inflexible education standards do more harm than good

Dan Gelber: Scott’s decision to cut money for food programs is just mean

John Grant: Medical marijuana amendment is all about Charlie Crist

Dave Mica: With all reports in, let’s build the Keystone XL Pipeline

Tabitha Frazier: We need immigration reform that provides path to citizenship

Gary J. Stein: Legislation, a constitutional amendment open door to medical marijuana in Florida