Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Among the country’s lower 48, Florida was a land of almost unequaled promise. Surrounded by navigable waters, the peninsula’s unique geography and pristine natural beauty beckoned all to visit and emigrate–and thrive. Mother Nature shined on the state, along with women like Marjory Stoneman Douglas (who saved the Everglades) and Barbara Capitman (who saved South […]

Guest AuthorJuly 27, 2014

There are three types of politicians: The first works mostly on behalf of the people they serve, by far the rarest of the lot; the second works chiefly on behalf of their own interests, by far the vast majority. The third tries to impose an ideology on others, an aggressive minority. Florida Attorney General Pam […]

Daniel TilsonJuly 25, 2014

Florida’s prison system is a disaster, a disgrace. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Real reform is possible, given the presence of ethical, public-spirited motivations and policies on the part of our elected officials. Unfortunately for prison inmates, their friends and families, local communities, and misinformed middle-class taxpayers, the policies of Gov. Rick […]

Guest AuthorJuly 16, 2014

In sports, the numbers tell us each day how an athlete is doing. The hitter’s batting average, the quarterback’s passing percentage, these numbers tell us in black and white whether a player is up or down. It’s similar in show business and its cousin, politics; there are Nielsen rating services and political polls. But we […]

Marc YachtJuly 16, 2014

There is controversy as to who said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” Perhaps Mark Twain, perhaps British Prime Minister Disraeli, but few would argue the meaning. Politicians twist data all the time and with Obamacare, the misinformation reaches new levels. While conservatives try to destroy the Affordable Care Act […]

Martin DyckmanJune 19, 2014

In George Orwell’s classic novel, Animal Farm, the pigs who become tyrants of the barnyard declare that although all animals are equal, “some animals are more equal than others.” He was satirizing communism, but the point applies to our democracy as well. Your “equal” vote may be gerrymandered into uselessness. The politician takes calls from […]

Bob SparksJune 10, 2014

Each week, state and federal courts in Florida process and adjudicate thousands of lawsuits. Some are frivolous while some have larger implications, or perhaps garner some national attention. With the ongoing tragedy, and that is precisely what it is, involving the U.S. Veterans Administration, expect courtrooms to be busy handling cases of veterans treated badly. […]

Guest AuthorJune 10, 2014

Florida’s state-run insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., is due for another investigation. This review is needed following the report “Revolving door of Citizens executives to companies with contracts raises questions” by Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times. The Herald/Times report found that at least three senior executives at Citizens went to work […]

Peter SchorschMay 29, 2014

At this point, there’s probably no denying that Republican incumbent Rick Scott has taken a narrow lead over his likely Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist. According to the most recent poll by SurveyUSA for Tampa Bay’s News Channel 8, Scott leads Crist with 42 percent of voter support, compared to 40 percent for Crist. Nine percent of […]

Guest AuthorMay 19, 2014

Many of the goods we use every day — from car parts to computers, to the clothes we wear and the meals we eat — must first pass through one or more of the nation’s seaports. Closer to home, every resident and visitor in West and Central Florida will use some product that has been […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

Stephen Goldstein: 17 sensible initiatives to make Florida world-class

Stephen Goldstein: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is out for herself

Daniel Tilson: Time to rehabilitate Florida’s penal system

Mark O’Brien: Old games by the same names

Marc Yacht: Eventually, voters will punish politicians who fought Obamacare

Martin Dyckman: In Florida, poor people whose woes are of a civil nature are on their own

Bob Sparks: Is Florida’s lawsuit against the VA political? Who cares?

Dan Krassner: Citizens Property Insurance due for another investigation

Peter Schorsch: Views on state of the state behind Scott’s narrow lead?

A. Paul Anderson: Governments must build infrastructure so ports can prosper