Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsAugust 3, 2015

Maybe it’s the excitement of the upcoming candidate debate, the influence of Pluto, or the infernal heat, but Florida Republicans are acting weirder than usual. Jeb Bush casually proposed getting rid of Medicare in front of a gaggle of older people. A couple of days later, he copped to a man-crush on James K. Polk, […]

Peter SchorschAugust 3, 2015

Political polls are landing on our heads faster than the summer rain coming down in Tampa. We’re flooded with numbers. This candidate is up, that candidate is down. Other candidates are both up and down Donald Trump and a medical marijuana initiative are surging. Marco Rubio and a solar power amendment are fading. “Cross-tabs,” “margins […]

Guest AuthorAugust 3, 2015

Much has been written about Gov. Rick Scott’s vetoes of member projects in the recent state budget. Although every governor has vetoed parts of the budget, this time was unusual because the governor had only a very short window to make his vetoes known. Although he vetoed a lot of projects, it does raise a […]

Frank TorresAugust 3, 2015

More hotels are needed near Osceola County’s sports venues, local officials told county commissioners on Monday. Particularly in need, they said, are places to stay near the county’s baseball and softball fields that draw events featuring players from across the country. The issue came up during a quarterly briefing about the fields, including the Osceola […]

Frank TorresAugust 3, 2015

Laura Kelley, executive director of the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), delivered the agency’s 2040 visioning study to the Osceola County Commission on Monday as it seeks feedback for the newly formed coalition’s direction into the next 25 years. CFX consists of nine members, six elected officials and three appointed by the governor, and encompasses […]

Drew WilsonAugust 3, 2015

Hialeah Republican state Rep. Manny Diaz said Monday that his 2016 re-election campaign gathered enough signatures to get his name on the ballot next year. “We appreciate every voter who signed a petition to get us on the ballot,” Diaz said in a prepared statement. “Qualifying by petition requires a strong base of loyal local volunteers, […]

Ryan RayAugust 3, 2015

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A recent communique from the U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham camp takes a playful approach to making a serious point, possibly a decisive one, when it comes to Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The freshman Democrat’s spokesman narrated their most recent campaign stop at the Wassau Possum Festival by way of Petey the Possum, a stuffed marsupial who […]

Sally SwartzAugust 3, 2015

Martin County School Board isn’t the only government trying to pick the pockets of retired teachers and other school employees. But stripping retirees of health care benefits guaranteed by previous school boards unfairly burdens those on fixed incomes. The strategy also could wind up costing the school district more money than it saves, School Board […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2015

Happy Monday, which, if you live or work in Tampa, means another perilous morning for actually driving your car, as it’s raining hard once again as I write this (6:18 a.m.). This weekend’s storms and floods indicate that Tampa may never become the major city it aspires to; though there are plans to raise taxes to pay […]

Phil AmmannAugust 3, 2015

As Republican White House hopefuls prepare for the first official GOP presidential debate, most of the attention – good or bad – will go to Donald Trump over what he will, or won’t, say. As for politics, however, the real interest isn’t what Trump ultimately does on the Cleveland debate stage Thursday night, but who […]

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Diane Roberts: Rick Scott reaps harvest of sham from Planned Parenthood fakery

Peter Schorsch: Half a dozen or so polls … 15 months out … do any of them matter?

Barney Bishop: State budget process needs a CBIR step again

Osceola County leaders want more hotels near sports venues

CFX presents 2040 visioning study to Osceola County Commission

Manny Diaz qualifies early for re-election in HD 103

Email insights: Gwen Graham, Petey the Possum campaign in Washington County

Sally Swartz: It’s time to keep promises with educators

Mitch Perry Report for 8.3.15 – Forget Thursday – 14 GOP prez candidates debate tonight in NH

Bill Day’s latest: Donald Trump shields Jeb Bush from the debate storm