Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 1, 2015

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott named two Tampa legal experts to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher Nash, 43, of Tampa, currently serves as Hillsborough County Judge in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. He previously practiced with Leavengood, Nash, Dauval & Boyle from 2004-2013. Before that, he worked with Akerman Senterfitt […]

Bob SparksApril 30, 2015

What a week. First, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Florida is suing the Obama administration over the Medicaid expansion issue. Then, we witnessed some remarkable political gamesmanship when the House adjourned three days early. The words “insurmountable differences” on the budget and Medicaid expansion accompanied the banging gavel in the House […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Bob SparksApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Bob SparksApril 16, 2015

This week, two more candidates jumped on the elevator heading for the top floor of the executive branch. The announcement on Sunday by Hillary Clinton and on Monday by Marco Rubio brings the number of announced candidates for president of the United States to four. While several others will follow, it is amazing to look […]

Bob SparksApril 10, 2015

For years Florida governors and legislators stressed the need to diversify Florida’s economy. A state’s financial well-being so heavily dependent upon tourism and agriculture is a disaster or recession away from economic calamity, they said. They, and their successors who toe the same line, are right. Resorts, parks and Fresh From Florida are great for […]

Bob SparksApril 9, 2015

For years Florida governors and legislators stressed the need to diversify Florida’s economy. A state’s financial well-being so heavily dependent upon tourism and agriculture is a disaster or recession away from economic calamity, they said. They, and their successors who toe the same line, are right. Resorts, parks and Fresh From Florida are great for […]

Bob SparksMarch 26, 2015

The Florida Legislature is deciding, with certain restrictions, whether to allow guns on Florida college campuses. This brief, but controversial, bill (House Bill 4005 and Senate Bill 176) removes restrictions on campus for qualified gun permit holders. Other prohibitions remain untouched, including courthouses, polling places, K-12 schools and numerous others. Republicans generally favor the legislation […]

Bob SparksMarch 19, 2015

In the 1970s inflation was soaring. It was so bad, interest rates climbed above 20 percent. President Jimmy Carter, like his immediate predecessors Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon, struggled for solutions. Carter didn’t bring back Ford’s WIN (Whip Inflation Now) campaign buttons, but he did hire economics professor Alfred E. Kahn to serve as, for […]

Bob SparksMarch 12, 2015

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Florida Republican legislators are waving the white flag. The fight seems to be over. Peace is at hand. After two insurrections against Republican National Committee (RNC) mandates covering presidential primary dates, the Florida House and Senate are poised to make a wise decision to cease hostilities. House Bill 7035 (and a companion Senate bill) opens […]

Tag: Bob Sparks

Gov. Scott names Tampa’s Christopher Nash and Mark Kiser to Circuit Court

Bob Sparks: Do new statements jump-start budget negotiations?

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Bob Sparks: Top priority for diverse GOP field is beating Hillary Clinton

Bob Sparks: Entertainment industry adds to Florida’s economic menu

Bob Sparks: Entertainment industry adds to Florida's economic menu

Bob Sparks: Logic, passion and courage describe guns-on-campus debate

Bob Sparks: The strange relationship between climate change and bananas

Bob Sparks: Florida nears end of renegade primary era