Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2016

With Florida’s Legislative Session only days away, one of the hottest issues to face lawmakers this year is Open Carry. Two bills (SB 300/HB 163) filed by the Republican father-son tag team of State Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry a […]

Melissa RossJanuary 8, 2016

Whether it’s the construction of green buildings, pushing more public transit, or investing in sustainable infrastructure, the Sunshine State is practically flunking when it comes to energy efficiency. That’s according to a new scorecard by a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has issued grades to Florida’s four largest cities. Jacksonville got a 26 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 8, 2016

Marco Rubio will be back in his home state Monday, this time to deliver a speech on the economy. Rubio is slated to deliver an economic address focused on taxes and spending during a Sarasota town hall. According to his campaign, Rubio is expected to discuss his “plans for making the United States economically competitive […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 7, 2016

“Keep it simple, stupid” (or KISS) is an adage that reminds us of the effectiveness of simplicity. From its origins in aeronautical engineering management, keeping it simple is usually good advice. At risk of being the contrarian, my argument is that sometimes things can be made too simple, especially where politics and economics intersect. To […]

Melissa RossJanuary 7, 2016

Humbled, contrite, and saying he’s found Jesus, 4th Circuit Public Defender Matt Shirk is forging ahead with a campaign for a third term, despite a grand jury urging him to quit after scandal plagued his tenure in office. “I have a good record to stand on and intend to make that known to the public,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 7, 2016

Some Florida voters could be casting their ballots around the same time as voters in early voting states. Thousands of vote-by-mail, or absentee, ballots are expected to be sent out in advance of Florida’s presidential preference primary. According to the Florida Division of Elections, the first wave of mail ballots will by sent to military […]

Melissa RossJanuary 5, 2016

State Rep. Janet Adkins has introduced legislation intended to clear the massive backlog of rape kits across the state that she hopes moves quickly when the Legislature convenes next week. “It’s a reasonable expectation for victims of sexual assault that when an evidence kit is collected, that something is done with that kit, that the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 5, 2016

Florida politicians are speaking out about President Barack Obama’s gun control proposals, with several prominent Republicans blasting the Democrat’s actions. Obama announced a package of gun-control executive actions during a speech in the East Room at the White House. The cornerstone of his executive actions is a background check requirement for guns purchased from dealers […]

Melissa RossJanuary 4, 2016

Saying that states have the right to protect themselves from “acts of war,” state Rep. Lake Ray of Jacksonville has filed legislation that would compel Florida’s refugee resettlement organizations to allow state background checks on refugees being brought in from Syria and other troubled areas. “It addresses the concerns the state has and many citizens have related […]

Melissa RossDecember 30, 2015

Just as Jacksonville’s battle over its human rights ordinance heats up (again), North Florida same-sex couples are preparing to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversaries in a public downtown event. On January 10, 2015, Jacksonville attorney Carrington Mead married more than 60 same-sex couples in a mass ceremony in Hemming Park following the Supreme Court ruling […]

Tag: Florida

Open Carry advocates in Florida should take careful note of Texas’ new gun-toting law

Florida cities among the least energy efficient in America

Marco Rubio to talk economic policies during Sarasota town hall

Dale Brill: Good policy is always complicated

Matt Shirk seeks 3rd term: “I’ve owned up to my mistakes … moving forward”

First wave of ballots in Florida set to be mailed before voting begins in Iowa, New Hampshire

Janet Adkins on Corrine Brown: “The courts have spoken”

Florida Republicans blast President Barack Obama over gun-control executive actions

Lake Ray bill would require state background checks of Syrian refugees

Email insights: Jax same-sex couples to celebrate one-year wedding anniversaries in Hemming Park