Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bruce RitchieSeptember 23, 2014

When Gov. Rick Scott last year announced Florida was suing Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court over water use, he selected a scenic view along Apalachicola Bay that had been purchased with state and local dollars. The Apalachicola Riverfront Park encourages tourism by providing a place where busy seafood festivals are held and where visitors […]

Adam WeinsteinSeptember 21, 2014

As early as Tuesday, we may learn who the trustees of Florida State University care about more: The FSU learning community, or their cronies. They can choose as college president any of three highly qualified administrators, fundraisers, and professors at other top-notch public universities. Or they can pick the man they’ve always wanted for the […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 18, 2014

Voters across Florida cast ballots in November 2000 to say whether they wanted to continue electing most of their circuit and county court judges or would let the governor appoint them. Election was the overwhelming favorite everywhere. In Duval, Nassau and Clay counties, which comprise the Fourth Circuit, it was the choice of 69.3 percent […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 18, 2014

First of a Series The question came to us the other day, “Why poll just Rick Scott versus Charlie Crist?” “Why not also include the other folks on the ballot?” Good questions. Why would you poll test just the two, which many high-quality professional pollsters are still doing? After all, the logic follows, there will […]

Bruce RitchieSeptember 18, 2014

State Rep. Jimmy Patronis told me more than once that I would miss him after this year when he leaves the Florida Legislature because of term limits. Maybe I won’t be covering him in the Legislature any more. But he’ll still be in Tallahassee. Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday appointed Patronis, R-Panama City, to the […]

Mark FerruloSeptember 16, 2014

As the November election fast approaches, Gov. Rick Scott has been barnstorming across the state, touting his environmental record while promising to spend millions on land conservation and crack down on polluters. But when it comes to protecting public health and our state’s natural resources, Scott’s record stands in stark contrast to his rhetoric. Soon […]

Martin DyckmanSeptember 4, 2014

When my old newspaper, the Tampa Bay Times, zinged Gov. Rick Scott with an editorial describing him as a man without a heart, an accompanying illustration put his face on the iconic image of the Tin Man in the “Wizard of Oz.” That was too generous to Scott. Jack Haley’s character in the classic motion […]

Diane RobertsSeptember 3, 2014

Let’s be Florida-springs crystal-clear here: Gov. Rick Scott’s staff looked everywhere, even under the sofa. If alleged emails about certain plans for property acquisition and fundraising and taking down a particular pain-in-the-backside lawyer existed, why, naturally the governor’s people would give those emails to anyone who asked. But they don’t. So they didn’t. As for […]

Mark FerruloAugust 31, 2014

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Student loan debt is crushing the American Dream for far too many Floridians and poses a significant threat to our nation’s economy. More than 40 million people across the country are burdened by student loan debt, and many college graduates will be hampered by this encumbrance their entire lives. But there is a simple, common […]

Marc YachtAugust 31, 2014

Lee County must be commended for the courage to “just say no” to high-stakes testing. Last week, the Lee County School Board voted to end all state-required testing in the county’s public schools. They have had enough with the Common Core agenda pushed by computer corporations and the Gates Foundation. It is rare that liberals […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Bruce Ritchie: Gov. Scott is circumventing funding formula for conservation

Adam Weinstein: In the FSU presidential battle, Thrasher is his own worst enemy

Martin Dyckman: How the First District Court of Appeal ignored Florida voters

Steve Vancore: A look at polling in the 2014 Florida governor’s race

Bruce Ritchie: Rep. Jimmy Patronis’ appointment to the PSC is no surprise

Mark Ferrulo: You don’t need to be a scientist, Gov. Scott

Martin Dyckman: Once again, Gov. Scott vetoed a modest appropriation for civil legal aid to the poor

Diane Roberts: Hey, reporters! Those secret emails are none of your business!

Mark Ferrulo: We need Higher Education, not higher student debt

Marc Yacht: We ruin public schools by withholding money, imposing demands