Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanSeptember 28, 2015

The comedian Jack Benny, generous in private life, cultivated the stage persona of a world-class skinflint. In one of his most famous radio skits, he’s accosted by an armed robber who demands “your money or your life.” When Benny doesn’t answer, the thug loses patience. “Look, bud, I said, your money or your life,” he […]

Marc YachtAugust 26, 2015

Poverty’s narrow definition relates to income and consumption but a much broader meaning is necessary to understand America’s poor. Federal guidelines qualify individuals and families by addressing income, but don’t provide an accurate depiction of needy families and their living conditions. The better understanding of the poor must look beyond income and at the larger […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 25, 2015

Florida lost one of its oldest and best citizens when Elston Edward “Steve” Roady, a professor emeritus of political science at Florida State University, died at Tallahassee last week, four months into his 96th year. He was one of my favorite professors there, long ago, and a good friend. He did more than inspire two […]

Marc YachtAugust 4, 2015

The pro-life proponents continue their efforts at fever pitch. Their success continues to chip away laws designed to protect the right of choice. The battle typically sets religious conservatives against women’s rights advocates. Although the violent nature of the anti-abortion crowd has settled for protests and not killings of late, the confrontations at women’s clinics […]

Marc YachtMarch 11, 2015

End-of-life issues are among our most emotionally and religiously charged community concerns. The definition of “death” might require greater clarity when considering medical and technological advances that have moved patient diagnosis from the physician’s examination to the laboratory. Enacted law regulating medical practice further muddies the water. Canada’s Supreme Court recently lifted the Assisted Suicide […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 22, 2015

I was both encouraged and disappointed as I followed the recent U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on the Keystone XL Pipeline, which will carry 830,000 barrels of oil per day into Gulf of Mexico refineries from Canada. Not only did the measure pass the House, it was heartening to see two Florida Democratic congressional members […]

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 AuthorMay 28, 2014

A great thing about my job is I spend time working with Florida’s higher education institutions. Our colleges and universities create graduates and spur economic vitality. Florida has an excellent balance of both private and public institutions working in service for the people of Florida. Higher education is the springboard for many Floridians to success. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2014

Another day, and another positive environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL pipeline was released Friday by the U.S. Department of State. This is great news. The Keystone XL pipeline would increase Canadian oil imports from 2 million to 5 million barrels per day — great news for U.S. energy security. A $7 billion privately […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 25, 2013

Sadly, Sept. 19 marked five years since TransCanada applied for permission from the U.S. government to build the Keystone XL pipeline, a privately funded project that would give American consumers a direct link to Canadian oil sands, the third largest oil reserves in the world. However, the Obama Administration, bowing to political pressure from anti-energy […]

Tag: Canada
Sen Rick Scott in Sarasota. Photo by Jacob Ogles.

Martin Dyckman: Rising price of pharmaceuticals is no joke

Dr. Marc J. Yacht: Our country’s shameful legacy of poverty

Martin Dyckman: A good friend, an inspiring teacher passes on

Marc Yacht: Pro-life, pro-choice combine to create lightning-rod issue

Marc Yacht: Assisted suicide allows for death with dignity

Nicolas Gutierrez: It's time to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline

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

Ed Moore: Young workers, entrepreneurs need pro-growth reform

Dave Mica: With all reports in, let’s build the Keystone XL Pipeline

Dave Mica: It’s time to get started on the oil pipeline from Canada