Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 14, 2016

A number of popular internet-connected toys including children’s tablets, a talking stuffed bear and smart watches are vulnerable to hacking that could expose information about the child and the parents’ credit cards, according to a new cautionary report released Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Nelson’s report, “Children’s Connected Toys: Data Security and Privacy Concerns,” […]

Scott PowersOctober 27, 2016

A new report released Thursday by Florida CHAIN contends the Affordable Care Act has helped increase the ranks of Florida children with health care coverage by 36 percent since 2013. The report, by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, declares the percentage of children nationally who have health insurance is now at 95.2 percent, an […]

Scott PowersSeptember 21, 2016

A new television commercial being launched today in Florida and six other states portrays Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as someone who’s fought to protect children all her career. The 30-second spot, “Children,” is part of Hillary for America’s ongoing ad buy in battleground states such as Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 10, 2016

For Joe Gruters, being a dad to three small children in an asset. His opponent, it appears, thinks otherwise. Gruters is demanding an apology after his House District 73 opponent — Lakewood Ranch Republican Steve Vernon — sent a mailer that, among other things, said Gruters’ three young children would be a distraction. The mailer said […]

Scott PowersMarch 14, 2016

Marco Rubio‘s latest and perhaps last campaign video, released Monday, urges “It’s All About Florida” and emphasizes that it is time for his generation to do its part now to leave a better nation for children, including his. “I have four children,” Florida’s U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate states at the beginning of the minute-16-second video, “And […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 26, 2016

Child advocacy group the Children’s Forum announced a new campaign Tuesday to raise awareness for issues facing Florida youngsters. The “#becausekidscantwait” campaign aims to increase funding for services that reach children in the first five years of their lives, which studies show is the most important time in a child’s development. The group also cited […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJune 16, 2015

Welcome to another installation of “my bad luck is your source for information!” About six months ago, I reported my identity had been used by someone somewhere to file an unemployment claim. I was lucky. All it took were a handful of phone calls, a few hours and some mildly aggravating music-on-hold in order to […]

Guest AuthorJune 10, 2015

I’m sure if I listened hard enough, I could hear my 15-year-old self yelling at me right now. When I was 15, I wore black skirts, combat boots and about 900 black rubber bracelets to school; let’s not even discuss what I’d wear to alternative clubs to watch Suicidal Tendencies and slam dance. I valued […]

Guest AuthorJune 7, 2015

This column is a bit different than the normal output from me. It is not politically based or policy based. It is not about ethics and standards or any of the number of things I feel compelled to address in this most excellent venue for the exchange of information. This week I write about the […]

Guest AuthorApril 21, 2015

I know I’m totally putting myself at risk by writing this column, and openly admitting to something the authorities consider irrefutable evidence of irresponsible parenting. There have been many articles recently published about parents doing something similar to what I’ve done, and those parents were subsequently questioned by police officers. A few have been arrested. […]

Tag: children

Bill Nelson warning about cyber attack vulnerability of toys

Report: Health care coverage jumps for Florida children

New ad pushes Hillary Clinton’s theme of today: children

Joe Gruters says mailer calling his children a distraction should disqualify HD 73 opponent

New Marco Rubio video focuses on his generation doing its part for the children

Children’s Forum launches campaign to boost child care, intervention services

Janelle Irwin: Not even kids cop a break from credit thieves

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Ten reasons why students benefit from uniforms in school

Ed H. Moore: In life's joy and adversity, we build our own village

Catherine Durkin Robinson: I let my boys walk home alone; go ahead, cuff me