Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 6, 2018

Republican Gov. Rick Scott is telling his oft-told tale of his humble upbringing in public housing and rise to success, in Spanish now, with a new TV commercial. The 30-second spot, “Esperanza,” [“Hope,”] produced for Spanish-language television, tells his story in old photo-album snapshots and narration. And then the narrator, text, and his own comments […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 11, 2018

The state’s leadership is drawing praise for removing “free-speech zones” from college campuses. Gov. Rick Scott on Sunday will sign a sweeping higher education bill (SB 4) into law that includes language preventing state colleges and universities from restricting free speech to certain areas on campuses. Generation Opportunity, a center-right political advocacy organization, commended Scott […]

Guest AuthorJuly 31, 2017

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Few issues resonated more with young people during last year’s presidential election than the idea of “free college.” After all, with tuition costs at an all-time high and many recent college graduates saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, millennials are looking for a financial lifeline. What to do? Well, according […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2017

College students in Florida could soon get extra help under an ambitious proposal passed by the Florida Senate. The Florida Senate voted 35-1 Thursday for an overhaul of the state’s higher education system that is a top priority for Senate President Joe Negron. It boosts financial aid and calls for new programs to help universities […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 4, 2017

Amber Mariano is a UCF student, but she’s also a newly-elected member of the House of Representatives from New Port Richey. That may be why her first two bills filed, HB 153 and HB 155, have to do with reducing the financial burden on college students. HB 153 deals with excess credit surcharges, increasing the […]

Guest AuthorDecember 14, 2016

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published a report stating that federally issued Direct Student Loans placed in Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans will cost the government $74 billion, which is higher than previously estimated. According to the GAO, as of June of this year, 5.3 million student loan borrowers are repaying their loans in IDR […]

Larry GriffinSeptember 19, 2016

Marco Rubio introduced a bill Monday that would help victims of terrorist attacks, such as the one at the Pulse nightclub earlier this year, with deferments on their student loans so they could move on from the trauma at their own pace and continue living the lives they were trying to before the attacks. Although the […]

Guest AuthorMay 10, 2015

It is May, a season of hope and fulfillment of dreams. Graduations bloom new flowers all across our state. A limitless future of choices and chances stand before those who are crossing our stages. I recently had the privilege of offering my thoughts through a commencement address to the students receiving graduate degrees from St. […]

Guest AuthorMarch 18, 2015

When I was an undergrad in the middle of the Material Girl 80s, I don’t remember anyone – a professor, a parent, or even a random guy on the street (or in the career counseling center) – ever telling me to “do what I love and the money will follow.” And while author Marsha Sinetar […]

Tag: college

Rick Scott tells his rags-to-riches story in new Spanish ad

Generation Opportunity lauds move to eliminate ‘free-speech zones’

David Barnes: To lower college tuition; get the government out of the way

Florida Senate says yes to more help for college students

Amber Mariano, UCF student and Florida House member, files bills to reduce financial burden on students

Dennis Ross: Responsible solutions to repaying student loans

Marco Rubio introduces bill to help victims of terrorist attacks with student loans

Ed Moore: It's commencement season, but 'commencing' what?

Laurie Uttich: Do what you love (and the money MIGHT follow)