Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJune 26, 2015

The U.S. Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family, the Court said in its majority ruling. “[Challengers] ask for equal dignity in the eyes of […]

Mitch PerryJune 26, 2015

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family … [Challengers] ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.” — Supreme Court of the United States. Legal same-sex marriages must be recognized throughout the United States, […]

James CallApril 29, 2015

Instead of a Doctor of the Day, when the Florida House and Senate next meet, maybe they should consider a psychologist, counselor or mediator. After an exchange of insults and letters Wednesday it became even more uncertain when the two chambers will be able to begin budget negotiations. The gulf between the Florida House and […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the Constitution’s primary mandate for the Legislature. The Florida budget, like any budget, is comprised of two components: income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by Floridians and visitors […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 21, 2015

Most of us who are born American citizens take for granted the basic freedoms and affluent way of life that our country gives us. Living in the USA, we’re spoiled because we don’t encounter abysmal poverty, despotism and the lack of value of human life that exists in the rest of the world. Think about […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2014

Richard Nixon helped end, but can still save, the Florida Democratic Party. It’s no secret that Florida Democrats have yet to figure out how to increase voter turnout during midterm elections. That’s why, despite Democratic voter registration advantages, Republicans have dominated state government for two-plus decades. But it’s not like Democrats haven’t tried. This election […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 6, 2014

It can no longer be said that the country is going to hell. We have arrived. The worst disappointment isn’t the re-election of the kleptocrat Rick Scott, or U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan’s defeat by a Koch stooge in North Carolina, or even the fact that Ted Cruz is now running amok in a Senate majority. […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 19, 2014

The term limits initiative that Florida voters put into the Constitution in 1992 was one of the most popular issues ever, passing with 3,625,500 “yes” votes to only 1,097,127 against it. But what it has done to the Legislature makes it one of the costliest mistakes in Florida history. The voters deserve an opportunity to […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 20, 2013

A narrow majority on the Supreme Court reads the Constitution as if the calendar had not turned since 1791. According to Justice Antonin Scalia, the court’s duty is to “begin with the text, and to give that text the meaning that it bore when it was adopted by the people.” The trouble — and yes, […]

Tag: Constitution

Florida politicians react to Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling

SCOTUS upholds same-sex marriage nationwide

Senate President, House Speaker exchange letters as budget dispute deepens

Garrett Richter: Health care in Florida: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Steven Kurlander: Give all Americans a mandatory civics exam

Kevin Cate: Florida Democrats should change the rules, again

Martin Dyckman: This is what’s worse: Now we auction our government to the highest bidders

Martin Dyckman: Elect Crist if you want to fix the mess created by term limits

Martin Dyckman: Court’s ‘originalism’ rulings threaten American Republic