Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorNovember 3, 2013

Ask residents of the Tampa Bay area about transportation, and you’ll likely hear some similar themes. The traffic here is terrible! When is light rail coming? When do we vote on the Greenlight Pinellas plan? You should forget what you know — or think you know — about transportation and the Tampa Bay region. The […]

Guest AuthorOctober 27, 2013

It is difficult to sit across from Jason A. Tompkins and not feel that he is on an incredible mission. Tompkins, chair of the newly chartered Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is passionate about the tragedy of suicide. But he also clearly enjoys organizing people for a cause he cares […]

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2013

On Friday (Oct. 25), Democrats from around the state will gather in Orlando for their annual conference. I expect there will be much discussion about Amanda Murphy’s recent win in State House District 36. I do not know if Murphy will be there, but if she is, she will likely be greeted as a rock […]

Guest AuthorOctober 16, 2013

On behalf of rational thinking people everywhere, I would like to call for a formal and official end to the news media and societal malpractice of false equivalence. The government shutdown was never about two equally aggrieved sides trying to find common ground. Certainly this is evident as the bipartisan Senate accord to reopen the […]

Guest AuthorOctober 6, 2013

The innovative Florida Green Energy Works is designed to offer property owners community improvement options to save both energy and money. PACE — Property Assessed Clean Energy — is the program overseen by Florida Green Energy Works, implemented in several cities in Florida. It provides property owners the ability to purchase and install energy efficient […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2013

Last week, the news from downtown St. Petersburg set my heart racing. The Tampa Bay Times headline said it all: Ax-wielding man shot by St. Pete police had been institutionalized — and released — seven times. We have lost something in this country when a man can be institutionalized seven times, released, and still find […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2013

This month marked the five-year anniversary of the global economic meltdown that, as the White House says, “rocked Wall Street” and compounded the “recession that was already hammering Main Street.” Global financial institutions either collapsed or were bailed out by the government. Entire investment portfolios were wiped out. The economic autopsy revealed the ugly details: […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 18, 2013

As dinner comes to a close, Emeline, our 3-year-old, sometimes asks us a question: “Can I have something that’s not good for me?” What she means is, “can I have dessert?” It is easy to either give her dessert or not depending on how well she ate what was good for her during dinner. What […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 10, 2013

Ask just about any Floridian who the “education governor” was, and it’s a good bet many of them would offer the same name: Jeb Bush. Whether you think for better or for worse, it is difficult to argue that as governor, Bush tied his legacy in large part to education reforms in Florida. Democrats, Republicans, […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 4, 2013

No matter their party affiliation, the political class in Florida is looking forward to the 2014 election. Incumbent Gov. Rick Scott will be on the ballot. He is seeking re-election after a tumultuous first term that saw persistent low approval ratings and a raft of scandals, including the resignations of his Lt. Governor, as well […]

Tag: Ben Kirby

Ben Kirby: The next big thing in Tampa Bay area transportation

Ben Kirby: New Tampa area organization works to prevent suicide

Ben Kirby: Prospects for Florida Democrats look promising

Ben Kirby: The shutdown debate that wasn’t: This was not about two sides

Ben Kirby: Program helps people buy, install clean energy equipment

Ben Kirby: For our children: a renewed commitment to mental health

Ben Kirby: Indicator of next economic calamity: income inequality

Ben Kirby: Engaged parents can help kids avoid foods that are ‘not good for me’

Ben Kirby: To boost its economy, Florida needs another ‘education governor’

Ben Kirby: Expect a lot of complex issues on November 2014 ballot