Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 28, 2015

Florida’s impasse over the state budget has rubbed nerves raw, throwing lawmakers and lobbyists’ plans for May and June into chaos. On Tuesday, the Legislature quickly deflated the party atmosphere that usually engulfs the end of the annual 60-day session. The House adjourned unexpectedly Tuesday and is in recessed, in the words of Speaker Steve Crisafulli “until […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2015

During a story arc of the third season of 30 Rock, Jon Hamm plays Drew, the boyfriend of Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon. In the episode “The Bubble,” Fey begins to notice that people treat Hamm differently because of his good looks. After watching a traffic cop rip up a ticket for Drew, and fashion […]

Guest AuthorApril 26, 2015

Florida’s schools are supposed to prepare our students for success in life. Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce, we expect that students are ready for the real world based on what they learn in the classroom. But there is one area where we are perpetually failing the next generation: financial literacy and managing […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

For more than five decades, local governments and utility companies have had a very good arrangement that works well for everyone. When a private utility needs to run such things as transmission or cable lines, the utility enters into an agreement with a local government and this agreement allows the privately-owned infrastructure to be placed […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Bob SparksApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Guest AuthorApril 20, 2015

Six years ago, when Katie Swingle’s son was only 18 months old, a doctor reported that her boy’s autism would probably prevent him from ever being able to speak. Today, Katie’s son is not only communicating orally, but he’s also writing – in cursive! And Katie says the Florida Legislature is partly to thank. That’s […]

Daniel TilsonApril 19, 2015

Sometimes conspiracy theories aren’t crazy. Sometimes they’re right. Rick Scott, poor boy turned multimillionaire, got rich and famous ruthlessly employing an unprecedentedly remorseless profits-over-people strategy for private healthcare delivery in the United States. The rags-to-riches experience does different things to different people. In Scott’s case, he was left so driven to succeed he ended up […]

Phil AmmannApril 9, 2015

First comes love … then comes marriage … but with the Florida House, no baby carriage exists for same-sex couples. Bill Day sharpens his gaze on a bill, HB 7111, passed Thursday by the House, which allows private adoption agencies the option to turn away gay couples, either on religious or moral grounds. The measure was in response to a […]

Daniel TilsonApril 9, 2015

Sometimes, it’s painful being right. You see, Gov. Scott this week publicly confirmed he’s opposed to ensuring affordable access to health insurance and healthcare for all Floridians. Again. With ultra-conservative Republicans in the Florida House still blocking the Senate from using Obamacare funding to insure more than 800,000 Floridians — thereby stopping 3-6 people from […]

Tag: Florida House
Family members appear behind a pile of debris outside their home in Steinhatchee, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 storm Thursday night. (Ashleigh Lucas/WUFT News)

Sine Die 2015: No joy in Tally tonight

Peter Schorsch: When will Speaker Steve Crisafulli's bubble burst?

Jeremy Ring: Money matters for Florida's high school students

Sam Ferreri: 'Severe negative fiscal impact' of utilities changes = tax increase

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

William Mattox: Expand innovative program for special-needs students

Daniel Tilson: Rick Scott turns whiff of healthcare conspiracy into full-fledged stench

Bill Day’s latest: Love, marriage and denied adoption for gays

Daniel Tilson: Don't get fooled again by Rick Scott's trick plays on health reform