Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Daniel TilsonMay 1, 2014

One thing you can say as Florida’s 2014 legislative session concludes is that Democratic candidates have a lot to run for, and against, in this year’s mid-term election races. For the umpteenth year in a row, the Republican Party of Florida had dominant control over state lawmaking, including the budget process. Large majorities in the […]

Daniel TilsonApril 29, 2014

I’m guessing that about six of every 10 Floridians have no idea the state’s legislative session is in its final days. Probably the same percentage of people know what’s been done in the session, by whom, to whom, for what reasons, and to what possible effect. Mind you, no finger wagging here. I’m not looking […]

Daniel TilsonApril 26, 2014

Like a crew of clumsy card sharks armed with trick decks, Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislators have turned the final days of the 2014 session into a rigged political poker tournament. Bankrolled by our tax dollars, they keep betting, raising and bluffing with bravado. But we’re the ones with most of the skin in […]

Daniel TilsonApril 23, 2014

What if two intrepid reporters cornered Gov. Rick Scott and… Reporter A: Governor, why are you suddenly and so publicly supporting in-state tuition legislation that would let undocumented immigrants pay the same college tuition as legal residents? Scott: Anybody who grew up in Florida should get to go to a state university without paying 15 […]

Daniel TilsonApril 21, 2014

The fast-approaching, official end of the Florida legislative session is known as “Sine Die.” That’s Latin. It means the legislature adjourns with no fixed date for future meetings. True to form, when the respective House and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms stand side by side in the Capitol Rotunda on May 2 and drop their white hankies signifying […]

Daniel TilsonApril 17, 2014

Florida Democrats deserve a customized version of Howard Dean’s “50-state strategy.” The non-competitive horse — uh, donkey — is already out of the barn in 2014. But the right combination of desire, commitment, creativity and cooperation could flip the script in 2016. The Democratic National Committee chair from 2005-2009, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, challenged […]

Daniel TilsonApril 15, 2014

Not long ago I had a brief, casual conversation about politics (yeah, I can be brief and casual about politics, stop laughing), while getting my car serviced. I and another middle-aged guy were sitting in the waiting room watching news on an overhead TV, waiting for our cars. A story about Florida’s soon-to-be-new “Warning Shot” […]

Daniel TilsonApril 13, 2014

It is what it is. Most Floridians seem resigned to the corporate welfare system their elected officials have quietly created and perpetuated. As a result, another legislative session winds down without the welfare reform we need. You may remember how debate about a growing “culture of entitlement” drove the Clinton administration in 1996 to reform […]

Daniel TilsonApril 10, 2014

If you were among the most wealthy, privileged and politically powerful business people in Florida, and you prioritized limitless monetary gain over and above social responsibility to the state you called home; what would be the most troublesome obstacles in your path? Taxation would have to be “Private Enemy No. 1.” Paying personal income or […]

Daniel TilsonApril 7, 2014

Several bills moving forward through the 2014 Florida legislative session offer excellent opportunities for opponents of both big and bad government to join forces. Imagine, conservatives concerned with shrinking and disempowering government, uniting with liberals more concerned with its purpose and impact. Imagine, agreeing to disagree on divisive social issues, but agreeing to work together […]

Tag: Daniel Tilson

Daniel Tilson: It’s up to Democrats to redefine 2014 legislative session

Daniel Tilson: Tallahassee attention deficit disorder: Not your fault

Daniel Tilson: Going for broke in the Capitol casino

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott’s Hispanic transparency

Daniel Tilson: ‘Live And Let Die’ legislators

Daniel Tilson: Reinventing the ’50-state strategy’ in Florida

Daniel Tilson: Florida Democrats have to be in it to win it

Daniel Tilson: Florida’s corporate welfare crisis

Daniel Tilson: A tale of two Floridas

Daniel Tilson: Beware Rick Scott’s legislative control freaks