Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 23, 2015

So, this exists: “Wish you had the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual with you at all times but hate the idea of lugging around that heavy book everywhere you go? Good news! The 2015 Government in the Sunshine Manual is now available through Amazon.com for the amazingly low price of just $9.99!” Well, holy crap. Now all of […]

Associated PressFebruary 23, 2015

Florida had one of the largest declines in homeownership in the nation during the past decade, according to new figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The homeownership rate in Florida went from more than 73 percent at the start of 2005 to just under 65 percent at the end of last year, according […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2015

As any lawmaker who has had the temerity to venture a passing glance at their official government email account knows, IT’S EMAIL SEASON! Look, I get it. You need to tell your clients to send in emails. Everyone loves a good lobbying effort coupled with a grassroots feel. And while every single person on the planet […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 22, 2015

In anticipation of the 2015 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com is asking state lawmakers about their goals and priorities – and whether they support some controversial issues in the state.. Here are the responses from House Majority Leader Dana Young of Tampa: In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session, i.e. “Excited.” “Successful!” What’s a […]

Susan ClaryFebruary 16, 2015

I finally saw “Selma.” The Oscar-nominated film depicts Dr. Martin Luther King’s push for passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act – the federal legislation that was a crowning achievement of the Civil Rights Movement. Many protesters, both black and white, were sacrificed during the brutal efforts to make the 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama, […]

Shannon NickinsonFebruary 16, 2015

Judy Bense was the one who brought it home. On Thursday, the business and educational communities got together to announce a new collaborative program called Greater Pensacola Career Pathways. The initiative is a partnership that looks at economic development through the lens of the education system with an eye toward building a strong, educated workforce […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Republican candidates and parties in key primary states are among the first beneficiaries of Jeb Bush’s Right to Rise PAC. The committee launched by the former Florida governor and prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidate announced on Friday it gave nearly $123,000 in contributions. The largest payments were $10,000 each to the Republican Parties of Florida, […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 15, 2015

The premise underlying Florida’s death penalty is that it will be carried out fairly. To borrow a phrase, that is a bright and shining lie. As the first to re-enact capital punishment after the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in 1972, Florida’s Legislature provided specific criteria for death sentences and required the state Supreme […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 15, 2015

The ironically named Student Success Act of 2011 mandated something called the Valued Added Model, which attempts to quantify each teacher’s influence on each student. The complicated formula purports to predict what a student’s normal gain scores on a standardized test will be from one year to another. If a student gains more or loses […]

Melissa RossFebruary 13, 2015

Just months after failing to pass a ballot amendment, advocates of legalizing medical marijuana in Florida are regrouping to try again. A new bill was filed Tuesday in the Florida House that wouldn’t allow smokable medical marijuana. At the same time, Republican State Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg is behind a measure that would […]

Tag: Florida
Image via NOAA

Email insights: Hot diggity dog, Florida Sunshine Law manual now available digitally

Census data: Florida homeownership dives in past decade

Peter Schorsch: Inane emails are endless and ineffective

Previewing the 2015 Legislative Session with Rep. Dana Young

Susan Clary: Future 'Selma' will depict gay-rights struggle

Shannon Nickinson: Career planning starts at 13, not 23

Jeb Bush PAC starts spending, gives $123K to GOP in early primary states

Martin Dyckman: Capital punishment in Florida is death by judicial whim

Catherine Martinez: 'Value Added Model' of no value to teaching

South Florida company says its success in Washington proves marijuana-use law can work here