Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable Caddyshack: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments – that’s what we get […]

Peter SchorschNovember 2, 2015

Governor Rick Scott huddled with embattled insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty last Tuesday after a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, however the scheduled meeting did not appear on the governor’s official schedule. The off-the-grid meeting is only serving to fuel speculation that McCarty will soon leave the Office of Insurance Regulation, despite his public statements to the contrary. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2015

• Lawmakers will try to live on $17 a day: At least 18 Florida lawmakers plan to live on a minimum wage this week to draw attention to efforts to increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. Starting Monday, the lawmakers will live for five days on $17 per day. That figure represents what […]

Diane RobertsJuly 6, 2015

No doubt you’re wondering what new ways Florida’s alleged leaders have found to squander taxpayer money, suck up to the rich and further foul Florida’s environment. Well, prepare to be impressed: The Rick Scott administration is suing the feds for trying to protect rivers and wetlands. I mean, why should water get special rights: Does […]

James CallApril 22, 2015

Lauren Book puts action to words. The author, activist and abuse survivor will complete her annual 1,500-mile walk from the Keys to Tallahassee on Wednesday, capped off with a rally to bring awareness to the problem of sexual abuse of children. The 30-year-old former teacher told her family 13 years ago about abuse she experienced […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

Every day in Florida, countless volunteers serve in our schools, mentoring and tutoring our most vulnerable children. They serve at senior centers, state parks, and even in our homes, providing meals to homebound individuals and caring for those with unique abilities. They make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier. That is why Volunteer Florida is […]

William MarchMarch 24, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet rejected nominations of three Confederate soldiers for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Tuesday after being told they weren’t eligible because they didn’t serve in the U.S. military. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans argued they should be included because the veterans honorably served the state and […]

Phil AmmannMarch 17, 2015

Welcome to Government in the Sunshine Week! Instituted by the American Society of News Editors, Sunshine Week is a national initiative focusing attention on the importance of transparency and pitfalls of government working in the shadows. The program first began March 2005 with grants from the nonprofit John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, an […]

Associated PressMarch 4, 2015

Disagreement is surfacing between Florida Gov. Rick Scott and other members of the Florida Cabinet over how to proceed in the aftermath of Scott’s controversial firing of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Gerald Bailey. Aides to Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said in a Cabinet […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 25, 2015

It is widely acknowledged that the fox should not guard the henhouse. It follows that he shouldn’t hire those who do. That’s a potential problem in the Florida Senate’s comprehensive and well-meant prison bill. (SB 7020) Among other things, it creates a Florida Corrections Commission to monitor what goes on in a prison system becoming […]

Tag: florida cabinet

The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

Rick Scott meets off-the-grid with insurance regulator Kevin McCarty

Monday morning roundup from the Tallahassee desk

Diane Roberts: Top state pols defend Florida’s right to filthy water

Lauren Book walks so children know they’re not alone

Chester Spellman: April is Florida Volunteer Month

Rick Scott, Cabinet reject Confederates for state Veterans Hall of Fame

Bill Day’s latest: ScottBlock super-SPF for Sunshine Week

Disagreement surfaces over follow-up to Gerald Bailey firing

Martin Dyckman: Prisons need monitoring, but so does Rick Scott