Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 16, 2016

State Sen. Jeremy Ring is lashing out against a government-efficiency task force report that again is recommending the state’s pension system be closed to new hires. Ring released a statement through the Florida Senate Democratic Office Tuesday. He is actually a member of the Task Force on Government Efficiency, having been appointed by outgoing Senate President Andy Gardiner. […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 18, 2016

Bill McClure, a Republican running in Florida’s 4th Congressional District, has messaged heavily during this campaign against both Jacksonville’s referendum to extend a current half-cent tax to address the unfunded pension liability, and against public pensions in general. The latest example of his rhetoric, “When elected to Congress I will decline all congressional pension benefits ... […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed a former Leon County Clerk of Courts employee to a state retirement advisory panel. His office announced the pick Wednesday. Tom Napier, 81, of Tallahassee, worked for the clerk’s office as a special coordinator until his retirement in 2000. Napier said he will join the Florida Retirement System’s career service advisory […]

Associated PressFebruary 24, 2016

Public employees will get steered away from Florida’s pension plan under a bill approved by the Florida House. The House voted 72-38 for a measure that would automatically place newly hired public employees in an investment 401(k) plan if the employees failed to make a choice within eight months of starting their jobs. The legislation […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation had a story to tell last week about education improvement. Like politicians, they don’t let facts get in the way when making their case. In its new “From Excuses to Excellence” report, the Chamber urges businesses to stick with education reforms that it says have led to “extraordinary accomplishments” […]

Guest AuthorOctober 6, 2015

It’s the second answer to the famous line “only two things in life are certain.” No subject is possibly more confusing, more infuriating, and at the same time more consequential to the American public than that of taxes. The Bible contains about 700,000 words. The federal tax code? More than 3.7 million. Albert Einstein once […]

Guest AuthorOctober 5, 2015

It’s the second answer to the famous line “only two things in life are certain.” No subject is possibly more confusing, more infuriating, and at the same time more consequential to the American public than that of taxes. The Bible contains about 700,000 words. The federal tax code? More than 3.7 million. Albert Einstein once […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 2, 2015

Florida has tied with Iowa for having the 10th-best-funded state pension system in the country, according to a recent report by Employee Benefit Adviser. The Florida Retirement System is 81 percent funded, the report said, though the survey noted it used figures from 2013. That number differs from the State Board of Administration, which manages the […]

Associated PressMarch 3, 2015

The Republican-led Florida Legislature kicked off its annual session Tuesday with the usual pomp, but the celebratory nature was overshadowed by lingering questions about the state budget, tax cuts and health care. The two GOP legislators in charge opened the session by stressing areas on which they plan to work in tandem over the next […]

Associated PressMarch 3, 2015

The Republican-led Florida Legislature kicked off its annual session Tuesday with the usual pomp, but the celebratory nature was overshadowed by lingering questions about the state budget, tax cuts and health care. The two GOP legislators in charge opened the session by stressing areas on which they plan to work in tandem over the next […]

Tag: florida retirement system

Jeremy Ring disowns task force’s pension reform move

Pension tax critic Bill McClure is part of the Florida Retirement System

Personnel note: Tom Napier tapped for retirement board

House approves pension changes for state workers

Joanne McCall: Chamber’s report ignores the grim facts about Florida public education

Sal Nuzzo: Tax hike hurts charitable givers, retirement investors, scholarship recipients

Sal Nuzzo: Tax hike hurts charitable givers, retirement investors, scholarship recipients

Florida ranked No. 10 among states with “best-funded” state pensions

Budget, health care issues cloud Legislature's opening day

Budget, health care issues cloud Legislature’s opening day