Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

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Last year, a proposal in Tallahassee that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a license while evacuating an emergency was met with resistance from law enforcement, and didn’t come to pass. After bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes made some tweaks this year, though, the Florida Sheriffs Association endorsed it, and that seemed […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

There’s a development in the Gerald Bailey affair I want to tell you about, but first its FSU Day. Not that I attended the school or anything, but if I’m put on a beat it’s what’s in the front of my mind, you know? Like, I’m all FSU, fascinated by Charlotte’s Web rule-making, intrigued by the personalities […]

James CallMarch 17, 2015

A handful of lawmakers broke away from the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to attend the inauguration of John Thrasher as Florida State University’s 15th president. Thrasher earned two degrees from the university, but his path to the presidency began in 1986 when was elected to the Clay County School Board. From there Thrasher embarked on a career where […]

Julie DelegalMarch 4, 2015

Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, has been listening to parent complaints about high-stakes testing. Mayfield, like most parents and educators, is so frustrated with the entire standards-based accountability system that she wants to give entire school districts the ability to “opt out” of standards-based tests altogether. Judging from an action alert obtained from a Tea […]

Julie DelegalMarch 3, 2015

And you thought the Obamacare web rollout had problems. Computer malfunctions, brand new curriculum standards and unparalleled stress have characterized the debut of the new Florida Standards Assessments. But could Florida’s testing debacle be alleviated by a stroke of the governor’s pen? On Monday, 36 of Florida’s 67 counties – more than half – experienced […]

Julie DelegalMarch 2, 2015

Part one of this two-part series examines one senator’s move to lower the stakes in Florida’s high-stakes education accountability system, and how the stakes got so high in the first place. For several years, parents and teachers have bristled against the centerpiece of education reform in Florida. “Teacher accountability” is the political term for it, but what […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 26, 2015

For nearly 2 million Florida public school students, the next few weeks could be a crucial moment in their education. The state is undertaking one of the biggest changes in its classrooms since former Gov. Jeb Bush pushed through his signature A+ school grading system nearly 16 years ago. Students will switch this spring to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 18, 2015

A nonprofit public education advocacy group is asking supporters to throw their weight behind legislation proposed by state Sen. Bill Montford that would ban the use of standardized testing results against students during the transition from the current FCAT model to the new Common Core testing standards. Senate Bill 774 introduced by Montford is an answer to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 18, 2015

A nonprofit public education advocacy group is asking supporters to throw their weight behind legislation proposed by state Sen. Bill Montford that would ban the use of standardized testing results against students during the transition from the current FCAT model to the new Common Core testing standards. Senate Bill 774 introduced by Montford is an answer to […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 8, 2015

Some legislators again are taking aim at water bottling operations in Florida. This week, members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture said they’re concerned about shipping water out of Florida and the effects of pumping during drought and in areas with water shortages. “Obviously there is money being made on use of a public resource […]

Tag: Bill Montford
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Senate OKs gun bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies

The day that was in Florida politics — March 17

FSU inaugurates John Thrasher as its 15th president

Julie Delegal: Tweaking the tests – Common Core pushback

Julie Delegal: Gov. Scott, give kids a break from computer-plagued tests

Julie Delegal: Tweaking the tests – what to watch in education legislation

Florida legislators under pressure to alter school testing

Email Insights: Fund Education Now asks for support of Bill Montford's education bill

Email Insights: Fund Education Now asks for support of Bill Montford’s education bill

Bruce Ritchie: Water bottling continues to draw fire despite small amount of pumping