December 2013 - Page 9 of 9 - Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Julie DelegalDecember 3, 2013

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently said that “suburban” moms, whose children are about to face the higher hurdles of the Common Core State Standards, would soon discover that “their child isn’t as bright as they thought they were.” In one pithy, impolitic sound bite, Duncan brushes aside deep and unanswered concerns about the reform […]

Guest AuthorDecember 2, 2013

Thomas Knight, aka Asakari Abudullah Muhammad, is a poster boy for the death penalty. His case is also a classic study in what’s wrong with the death penalty machinery. By now you might know that once again Knight has cheated death. One of the longest-serving prisoners on Florida’s Death Row, Knight was supposed to die […]

Bob SparksDecember 2, 2013

On Thursday the Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would legalize medical marijuana in this state. Attorney General Pam Bondi and others are asking the court to throw the amendment off the ballot because the title and summary “do not convey the Amendment’s true […]

Daniel TilsonDecember 2, 2013

What if you were part of a strategic planning team tasked 35 years or so ago with helping America’s most profitable businesses and richest citizens avoid and evade taxation, regulation and other social responsibilities historically mandated by government? Of course, many would shudder at the very thought of being in on such a scheme, but […]

Peter SchorschDecember 1, 2013

It’s pretty clear by now that no elected Republican, other than perhaps the overly eager state Rep. Doug Holder, wants to be Gov. Rick Scott’s next lieutenant governor. The rumor du jour currently circulating along Tallahassee’s Adams Street is that Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth wants it that way. Last week, Seminole County Sheriff Don […]

Guest AuthorDecember 1, 2013

When is the most wonderful time of the year? December—right?—despite the many people and things that try to blur the calendar. Early October my grandson and I were shopping. As our shopping cart glided along the aisles, he excitedly exclaimed, “Look, Grandma, there’s a snowman!” He is 4 and I am nearly 15 times his […]

Guest AuthorDecember 1, 2013

‘Tis the season, the season of giving—whether giving thanks, praises, spare change, an extra tip or bonus. You name it, and it’s officially “the season” for it. For me, the beginning of “the season” is evidenced by the conversion of one of my pre-set radio stations to play Christmas and holiday tunes on a loop. […]

Steve SchaleDecember 1, 2013

In late September, state Rep. Ray Pilon, a Republican legislator from Sarasota, filed a piece of legislation that makes an interesting, and probably unintended, statement about the state of presidential politics in Florida. Rep. Pilon’s bill, House Bill 75, would change the way that Florida allocates its presidential electors from winner take all, to an allocation […]

Month: December 2013

Julie Delegal: If we ignore poverty, any education reform will fail

Andrew Skerritt: Thomas Knight is poster boy for the death penalty

Bob Sparks: Medical marijuana issue now front and center

Daniel Tilson: Undermining national trust

Peter Schorsch: Will Hollingsworth pull a LeMieux?

Rebekah McCloud: The most wonderful time of the year

Erin O’Flaherty: Let’s set aside differences – not just during this season, but all year

Steve Schale: Ray Pilon bill confirms Florida’s swing-state status