Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieOctober 2, 2014

California became the first state in the nation this week to ban disposable single-use plastic shopping bags. The ban is needed, supporters said, to reduce litter and protect birds and sea life from becoming entangled in bags. The ban also prevents bags from clogging storm drains or winding up in landfills. That new law prompted […]

Guest AuthorAugust 17, 2014

In November, Florida voters will likely approve Amendment 2 – a proposal that seeks to expand health-care options to include medical marijuana. At that point, it will be incumbent on lawmakers to implement regulatory schemes that protect rather than exploit Florida’s health-care system. Toward this goal, looking at the experience of other states can offer a […]

Peter SchorschJuly 31, 2014

Writers like Carl Hiaasen have made careers pointing to the corruption and absurdity of Florida’s brand of government. But, despite our frequent failings, there have been a few bright shining moments when Floridians could point with pride to the innovations of their public officials. On rare occasion, there has been a positive confluence of visionary […]

Guest AuthorJuly 30, 2014

Florida has a long-standing rivalry with the other Sunshine State, California. As a proud Floridian myself, I have to say that this Eastside-Westside beef almost always comes down in favor of the East. And as the campaign manager for United for Care — the organization advocating for medical marijuana and the passage of Amendment 2 […]

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Proponents have argued that Amendment 2 is about providing compassionate care for people who have debilitating symptoms, pain, or are dying. But if compassionate care were what the amendment is only about, then the authors would have specifically cited non-euphoric medical weed in the amendment’s language. That’s why this amendment is a fraud. It’s a […]

Julie DelegalJune 12, 2014

California Superior Judge Rolf Treu has swallowed the corporate-reform narrative on education –hook, line and sinker. According to the Los Angeles Times, the judge agreed with attorneys representing nine student plaintiffs who contend that it’s teacher tenure law — not student poverty, not state underfunding, not bureaucratic largesse, not any other factor — that disproportionately […]

Guest AuthorJune 4, 2014

Columnists are called to dissect and analyze tragedies, and last week’s horrible killing spree in California is no exception. We try to draw conclusions about why it happened, and how it might be prevented in the future. More gun laws. Better education about women’s equality. More and better services for people in psychological crisis. More and better services […]

Bob SparksJanuary 8, 2014

This week, a federal judge issued a ruling involving Florida’s approach to clean water. The lawsuit is about whether state or federal standards should govern Florida’s water bodies Florida argues that federal rules are far too costly and unworkable. Opponents say Florida’s standards are full of loopholes. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled […]

Tag: California

Bruce Ritchie: Florida won’t follow California on bag ban because of 2008 law requiring study

Karen Cyphers: Lessons for Florida from a California cannabis tourist

Peter Schorsch: Florida should be a leader in regulation of medical marijuana

Ben Pollara: Florida can show other states how to regulate medical marijuana

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2 isn’t about medical marijuana; it’s about getting high

Julie Delegal: Judge gets it wrong in California teacher-tenure case

Julie Delegal: The California killer is a stranger who is very familiar

Bob Sparks: States have important role in environmental regulation