Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressSeptember 29, 2015

In his latest dispute with Florida hospitals, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday called for additional regulations, including a requirement that they disclose more information about prices charged to patients. Scott is hoping the Florida Legislature will pass the proposals during the 2016 session. The Republican governor has taken aim at hospitals that receive public funds […]

Sally SwartzSeptember 28, 2015

Two members of Martin County’s legislative delegation listened for hours last week while more than 30 residents buttered them up, begged for money, griped about the Florida Legislature’s recent bad decisions and brought wish lists for 2016. Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell of Stuart turned the annual event, held at the Martin Commission headquarters in Stuart, […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 25, 2015

The Florida judge who will play a pivotal role in deciding the fate of the state’s political landscape says he may craft his own proposal to sort out the mess left from squabbling over Florida’s 27 congressional districts. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has been asked by the state Supreme Court to pick a new congressional map […]

Shannon NickinsonSeptember 20, 2015

The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet recently voted to write state leaders urging them to prioritize early education and child services for “the first 1,000 days” – from pregnancy to age 3. Based on data from the Pensacola Metro Dashboard, only 66.2 percent of Escambia County’s 5-year-olds are ready for kindergarten; in Santa Rosa County […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 15, 2015

In the far from perfect world of politics, there’s a place that in one respect is as near to perfection as anyone could expect. The state legislature redistricts itself, yet both parties accept the outcomes as fair, the resulting elections are unusually competitive and the courts don’t have to get involved. Gerrymandering is for the […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 15, 2015

As the NFL season kicks off, another big contest may be soon be played in the halls of the Florida Capitol. The growing fantasy sports industry, which is already subjecting television viewers to a barrage of wall-to-wall advertising with the new football season, is now setting its sights on getting the blessings of the Republican-controlled […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 9, 2015

Let’s review some of the factors influencing the non-news of a teacher shortage. On Sept. 1, Alpine Testing Solutions, the company hired to assess the validity of the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), found that the test could be used at the “group level” to evaluate teachers, establish cut scores to measure student achievement and give […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 2, 2015

It’s a chicken-egg problem: Which comes first, the wise society or the wise citizenry? A wise society looks after the well-being of its citizenry. In order for there to be a wise society, though, many or most of its citizenry also must be wise since they create the society. But the society must educate its […]

Bill PrescottAugust 26, 2015

Writer, international scholar, FSU English professor, opinion columnist and environmentalist Diane Roberts entertained a crowd of North Florida Democrats Tuesday evening with her incisive wit and pointed observations about the state of Florida and its leaders. Referring to herself as “that professor conservatives warn you about,” Roberts let fly a quiverful of bon mots as […]

Jim RosicaAugust 25, 2015

Hope sprang eternal in the Leon County Courthouse on Tuesday with the state Senate’s redistricting chairman insisting there is still time for lawmakers to get together and come up with a new map for the state’s 27 congressional seats. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis held a brief hearing after the Florida Legislature couldn’t agree on new […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Image via Rick Scott Senate office.

Rick Scott calls for more regulation of hospitals

Sally Swartz: Constituents still want environmental action

Redistricting recap: Judge may ‘combine’ maps

Shannon Nickinson: Our children need more than a letter

Martin Dyckman: Legislators should consider the Iowa example

Gambling or fun? Lawmakers may make call on fantasy sports

Catherine Martinez: If policies stand, teacher shortage will worsen

Barry Jason Mauer: How do you make a society wise?

Diane Roberts skewers ruling class during Tallahassee talk

Redistricting hearing: Trial judge needs direction, Senate wants do-over