Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bob SparksJune 18, 2015

Recently, New York Times columnist David Brooks described the group of Democrats blocking President Obama’s expanded trade authority as the “Democrats’ Tea Party.” By their rigid stance in obstructing the president from negotiating a fast-track trade agreement with Asian countries, Democrats are violating their own principles. By taking Big Labor’s lead in opposing such agreements, […]

Phil AmmannMay 22, 2015

When Florida’s Legislative Session began in March, there were high expectations, especially for education and healthcare. But by session’s end, that optimism was long gone, says Florida Education Association President Andy Ford. Now that budget talks are set to resume, and lawmakers prepare for a June 1 Special Session, there’s still one last chance for […]

Gary FineoutMay 18, 2015

Backers of Florida’s largest private-school voucher program scored a significant victory Monday in an increasingly bitter legal battle. Circuit Judge George Reynolds tossed out a lawsuit that contended that the program that serves nearly 70,000 students across the state by placing them in private and mostly religious schools is unconstitutional. Reynolds ruled that the groups […]

Guest AuthorApril 16, 2015

Florida has successfully operated tax credit education scholarships for 13 years. More than 70,000 underprivileged students throughout Florida currently benefit from these scholarships, which provide important school choice options. These students, whose household incomes are only 5 percent above the poverty level, two-thirds of whom are black or Hispanic, and the majority of whom live […]

Ryan RayMarch 30, 2015

The Florida Association of School Administrators — a major plaintiff and arguably the least overtly political — has pulled out of a lawsuit challenging the legality of Florida’s corporate tax credit scholarship program. “Following a full review of priorities, the Board made the decision to focus resources on FASA’s main objective – to ensure that […]

James CallMarch 10, 2015

The House Education Committee spent about an hour Monday discussing and approving an overhaul of Florida’s testing-focused school accountability program. The measure was approved on a unanimous vote. Read a staff analysis here. Chairwoman Marlene O’Toole said this past week she wanted to get the measure to the floor as quickly as possible, and Monday […]

James CallFebruary 24, 2015

Five minutes with Andy Ford, where the FEA Chief suggests respect could go a long way to getting teachers and lawmakers on the same page: Q: The FEA has been challenging in court for at least the past 15 years education policy decisions made by the Legislature. What would a truce to the legal wrangling […]

Bob SparksFebruary 20, 2015

Bill Clinton is known to use the term “dead-bang loser” to deride the policies or actions of political opponents. One of his more recent targets was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for the latter’s epic fights with the state teachers’ union. Clinton described Walker’s success in those fights as a dead-bang loser for Wisconsin. With Walker’s […]

Bob SparksFebruary 20, 2015

Bill Clinton is known to use the term “dead-bang loser” to deride the policies or actions of political opponents. One of his more recent targets was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for the latter’s epic fights with the state teachers’ union. Clinton described Walker’s success in those fights as a dead-bang loser for Wisconsin. With Walker’s […]

Bob SparksFebruary 19, 2015

Bill Clinton is known to use the term “dead bang loser” to deride the policies or actions of political opponents. One of his more recent targets was Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for the latter’s epic fights with the state teachers’ union. Clinton described Walker’s success in those fights as a dead bang loser for Wisconsin. […]

Tag: Florida Education Association

Bob Sparks: Progressive extremism, Florida style

Email insights: When budget money flows again, FEA will be first in line

Florida judge throws out lawsuit against voucher program

John Legg: Don't let vulnerable kids get mired in politics of education

Key plaintiff pulls out of charter schools lawsuit

House Education panel talks school accountability reform

Five minutes with Florida Education Association chief Andy Ford

Bob Sparks: Tax credit scholarship lawsuit a “dead-bang loser”

Bob Sparks: Tax credit scholarship lawsuit a "dead-bang loser"

Bob Sparks: Tax credit scholarship lawsuit a ‘dead bang loser’