Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Diane RobertsNovember 24, 2014

It’s happened again: a sick person goes to a college campus, pulls out a gun, and starts firing. And again, the ignorant or just plain vicious people who think the answer to gun violence is more guns squeal that if every Florida State University student, professor, groundskeeper, manager, lunchroom lady, electrician, janitor, ticket taker and […]

Bruce RitchieNovember 24, 2014

OK, 2015 actually could be the “year of water” in the Florida Legislature. Certain Capitol pundits earlier this year predicted that water would be a top issue during the 2014 session. But they were wrong because there wasn’t support in both chambers for dealing with the issue. The Senate passed a springs bill that would […]

Daniel TilsonNovember 17, 2014

Like the excitement baseball fans feel every February when they hear the first crack of the bats in Spring Training, the creaking noises coming from Tallahassee this week are putting smiles on the faces of many a Sunshine State politico. Not so much everybody else, with good reasons. Yes, the new edition of the Florida […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2014

Richard Nixon helped end, but can still save, the Florida Democratic Party. It’s no secret that Florida Democrats have yet to figure out how to increase voter turnout during midterm elections. That’s why, despite Democratic voter registration advantages, Republicans have dominated state government for two-plus decades. But it’s not like Democrats haven’t tried. This election […]

Guest AuthorNovember 6, 2014

Now that Amendment 2 on medical marijuana has been defeated and relegated to the trash pile of poorly worded constitutional amendments, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Well, not really. You see, John Morgan, the lawyer who spearheaded the drive to adopt Amendment 2, can’t stay silent even for a nano-minute. It’s just […]

Daniel TilsonOctober 6, 2014

It’s too late to register to vote in Florida’s 2014 elections. The deadline was yesterday. Now it’s up to determined Democratic activists to actually get people to vote. Otherwise, we’re looking at four more years of unchecked conservative extremists putting our government at the service of wealthy private interests, rather than you and me. Likely […]

Guest AuthorAugust 28, 2014

Amendment 2, the deceptive effort to essentially legalize marijuana, is supposedly self-regulating by the creation of so-called “caregivers.” The amendment’s authors invented this idea that caregivers, a/k/a Sugar Daddies or more appropriately Pot Wizards, can provide medical dope to other individuals. Interestingly, the authors didn’t define this Pot Wizard other than to say that they […]

Martin DyckmanAugust 24, 2014

In Germany two weeks ago, we were impressed by the multitude of solar arrays along the autobahn. There were too many to count. They perched on the rooftops of homes, apartment buildings, barns, offices, shops, storage sheds and garages. They were free-standing in cornfields and pastures — any place with a southern exposure and space […]

Guest AuthorAugust 18, 2014

The sham that is Amendment 2 continues to evolve. The latest iteration is the so-called Blue Ribbon Commission. While there is no doubt that the commission includes quality members, the idea of a self-appointed “commission” is just another example of the arrogance of the amendment proponents. This group has no authority whatsoever, so no one […]

Guest AuthorAugust 17, 2014

In November, Florida voters will likely approve Amendment 2 – a proposal that seeks to expand health-care options to include medical marijuana. At that point, it will be incumbent on lawmakers to implement regulatory schemes that protect rather than exploit Florida’s health-care system. Toward this goal, looking at the experience of other states can offer a […]

Tag: Florida Legislature

Diane Roberts: Mixing guns and college kids is a really dangerous idea

Water will become a top issue in 2015 with the help of Amendment 1

Daniel Tilson: 2015 Florida Legislature begins preparing for more of the same

Kevin Cate: Florida Democrats should change the rules, again

Barney Bishop: Some unsolicited advice for Amendment 2 crusader John Morgan

Daniel Tilson: Questions Democrats should ask people who don’t plan to vote

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2: Caregivers are the new Pot Wizards

Martin Dyckman: How Florida laws are made and utility regulators are appointed leave the state way behind Germany in use of solar energy

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2: Blue Ribbon Commission is just a kangaroo court

Karen Cyphers: Lessons for Florida from a California cannabis tourist