Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMay 1, 2014

In the 1983 movie, “War Games,” a young Matthew Broderick tries to hack into computer game development sites and accidently uses his dial-up modem to enter the Department of Defense mainframe. There he gets the computer charged with activating Intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, to start playing a simulation game of “global thermonuclear war.” As […]

Guest AuthorApril 24, 2014

NOTE: The views of state Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, may influence the outcome of proposed legislation concerning state pensions and the Florida Retirement System. Dear Senator: Perhaps you hold some sway over this matter. In a little over a week, the Florida Legislature will make another momentous decision regarding Florida’s public retirement system. […]

Guest AuthorApril 24, 2014

As lawmakers continue budget negotiations in Tallahassee over the coming days, a group of Volunteer Florida volunteers will be participating in a beach restoration project this weekend in Northwest Florida’s Cessna Park. These volunteers are not just cleaning up a beach, however: They are saving taxpayer dollars and exploring careers in Florida’s public service sector. […]

Peter SchorschApril 15, 2014

At least nine out of every 10 years, the timing of the Legislative session poses a double conundrum for Florida lawmakers. April, the most distractingly beautiful month in Tallahassee, also falls in the middle of the 60-day session. And so does the Easter season. Easter juxtaposes the most contemplative, self-restraining time of year with all of […]

Guest AuthorApril 10, 2014

Physician house calls could be making a comeback in Florida through the use of the latest innovative health-care technology, telemedicine. Florida has a chance to drastically change the landscape of its health-care delivery system during the current legislative session, generate significant cost-savings and lay the foundation for long-term sustainability by enacting telemedicine legislation. With the […]

Guest AuthorApril 10, 2014

Do you still manage your finances the same way you did in 1984? The state of Florida does. In fact, the state’s accounting program is so old that new graduates aren’t prepared to work in it, because they stopped teaching it in schools decades ago. The Florida Accounting Information Resource (FLAIR) is the state’s accounting […]

Guest AuthorApril 9, 2014

In 2013 the U.S. Congress appointed a bipartisan Over-Criminalization Task Force, comprised of 10 congressmen, to scrutinize the 4,500 felonies criminalized by federal law. Reappointed in February to continue its work, the task force is seeking to reform criminal justice policies that make the United States the runaway incarceration leader in the world. Think about […]

Guest AuthorApril 9, 2014

Peyton and Holley Moseley are parents. That simple six-word sentence defines them, and it explains why they are the leading advocates in Florida to legalize Charlotte’s Web, a strain of cannabis that may help hundreds of thousands of children deal with their epileptic seizures. Their daughter, RayAnn, is one of those children who may benefit […]

Guest AuthorApril 8, 2014

I am against bullying. Everyone is. Even bullies are against bullies when they are the ones being bullied. The Florida Department of Education defines bullying as, “Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive […]

Guest AuthorMarch 13, 2014

As the Florida Legislature gets underway this week, a couple of bills have been introduced with the laudable intent of keeping down the cost of higher education at state schools. One (SB 732) would provide savings for families who buy the state’s tuition prepayment plan, which would not directly affect the schools’ funding from the […]

Tag: Florida Legislature

Gary Stein: The new Cold War — Florida style

Michael Richardson: An appeal to Sen. Jack Latvala for prudent pension reform

Chester Spellman: Volunteer Florida meets needs with exponential impact

Peter Schorsch: It’s the season for legislators to build on state’s education success

Tamara Y. Demko: Florida should embrace telemedicine, health care of the future

Pat Neal: Florida’s financial management is in trouble

Dan McCarthy: Florida needs to take a fresh look at crime and punishment

Rick Outzen: Loving parents advocate for legalization of Charlotte’s Web

Jamie Miller: Do we need to legislate bullying?

Cary McMullen: Holding the line on higher education costs