Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorOctober 31, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott and our state lawmakers tried to make Florida welfare recipients submit to drug testing. Scott also wanted state workers to be drug tested. School boards across the state have instituted random drug testing for students and teachers. The new state symbol could easily become the urine specimen collection cup, especially if Gov. […]

Guest AuthorOctober 24, 2013

It’s time we challenge the popular notion that the purpose of our state government is to create jobs. I realize that what I will write is considered heresy in the hallowed halls of the state Capitol, but the notion of job creation is a whimsical idea that serves the agendas of those trying to profit […]

Julie DelegalOctober 16, 2013

This is part four of a multi-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. Florida’s Board of Education on Wednesday voted 5-1 to allow school districts to choose their own teaching methods and materials in line with Gov. Rick Scott’s stated policy of local control for […]

Dominic CalabroOctober 16, 2013

“Florida tourism” conjures images of theme parks, resort hotels, state parks and the finest beaches the world has to offer. Sailfish, marlins and mackerel don’t immediately come to mind, but recreational fishing is an important part of the tourism industry in Florida, too. Florida is uniquely positioned to attract visitors to the state for recreational […]

Julie DelegalOctober 15, 2013

This is part three of a multi-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Are PARCC and Common Core the same thing? No, the 18-state Partnership for the Assessment of College and Career […]

Guest AuthorOctober 15, 2013

Ominous headlines on federal cuts to biomedical research are not exaggerating the consequences. These cuts mean tangible damage to fruitful research programs, laboratories and discoveries. It takes forever (OK, only a decade or two) for most drugs to progress from basic discovery through trials to federal approval. Seemingly small delays now translate into a loss […]

Julie DelegalOctober 14, 2013

This is part two of a six-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Everyone, it seems, has chimed in on the Common Core State Standards, which the Florida Department of Education adopted […]

Julie DelegalOctober 13, 2013

This is part one of a six-part series on Florida’s Future with the Common Core State Standards, presented in partnership with Folio Weekly. A complete version of this series will appear in Folio on Oct. 16. Few issues draw as much scrutiny from citizens — or as much controversy — as public education. Parents and […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 26, 2013

It’s an interesting sign of these confusing political times that general elections tell us as much about political parties as primaries. It used to be that Republicans would gleefully pick off centrist Democrats who were disaffected by their party’s perceived leftward direction. Now it appears that Democrats are returning the favor, capturing centrist Republicans (a […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 26, 2013

Florida’s elected leaders could learn a lot from the hordes of fishermen they represent. In fact, I think a statewide political fishing tournament every couple of years might be a great way to spread some much-needed wisdom among them. The prizes could be large contributions from the sponsors, deposited into the campaign accounts of the […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Rick Outzen: I will, if you will, Governor Scott

Rick Outzen: State government isn’t about job creation

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Local control for curricula

Dominic Calabro: Recreational fishing is important to Florida tourism, too

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Gov. Rick Scott’s half-step

Karen Cyphers: Federal research slump is Florida’s opportunity

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Uncommon alliances

Julie Delegal: Florida and the Common Core: Why all the talk?

Cary McMullen: A Republican abandons Rick Scott

Jim McClellan: If Florida politicians did more fishing