Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallJanuary 5, 2015

The Florida Department of Health has responded to stakeholders’ requests and will create a negotiated rule making committee to implement a medicinal marijuana law. A committee of seven representing various parties with an interest in the state’s Charlotte’s Web law and DOH representatives will meet Feb. 4 in Tallahassee. “This is a positive development and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2015

When civil unrest broke out in Ferguson, Mo., this summer after the police shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, many Americans were stunned to see the Ferguson Police contend with protestors by deploying tear gas, military-style vehicles, assault rifles and smoke bombs. It prompted GOP Senator Rand Paul to condemn what he called the militarization […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 5, 2015

Four years ago, I wrote a piece looking at how Florida stacked up to the other battleground states, a piece I wrote that one largely in response to a bunch of reporter calls questioning Florida’s swing state status. At least we are past that debate. This piece is largely an update to that one, looking at […]

Associated PressJanuary 5, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott is going to use his inauguration day speech to urge residents from other states to move here because of Florida’s lower taxes. The Republican governor will be sworn into a second term Tuesday. Scott narrowly won re-election in November. After he is sworn in, Scott will give a speech arguing that limiting […]

Christine Jordan SextonJanuary 5, 2015

There will be a push in 2015 to increase the amount of money Florida spends on community-based mental health and substance abuse services. Specifically, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health will ask members of the Legislature to increase their reimbursement rates by $44.5 million in state dollars. Because that money is eligible for matching […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 5, 2015

A surefire way for a player to enter to the Baseball Hall of Fame is to bat .400 or better in a season, although no one has done so since Ted Williams in 1941. Still, if you get a hit every two out of five times in professional baseball, you will be more than an All-Star, […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 5, 2015

As Jeb Bush inches closer to a possible 2016 presidential run, anticipation rises as to when (and where) the Republican former Florida governor will finally take the plunge. Adding fuel to the fire, an announcement Bush will be raising money this week for his new leadership PAC at an event in Greenwich, Connecticut – hometown […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2015

There wasn’t a lot of news that broke over the holiday season the past two weeks. One event that barely registered in the press that did occur was the fact that the U.S. military’s combat role in Afghanistan ended last Wednesday, though the president has authorized 10,000 U.S. troops to attack the Taliban if they pose a threat […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2015

There wasn’t a lot of news that broke over the holiday season the past two weeks. One event that barely registered in the press that did occur was the fact that the U.S. military’s combat role in Afghanistan ended last Wednesday, though the president has authorized 10,000 U.S. troops to attack the Taliban if they pose a threat […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 5, 2015

With Gov. Rick Scott’s Jan. 6 inauguration approaching, Florida political observers are anxiously waiting to hear his second term priorities. Inaugural addresses often set the tenor of a governor’s term. Undoubtedly, Scott will focus on jobs and the economy – two strong suits of his administration. Just in case the governor’s speechwriters need some help, […]

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Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Dept. of Health wants negotiated rulemaking for Charlotte's Web

David Jolly defends 1033 program

Steve Schale: So just how close Is Florida? The 2016 version

Rick Scott: Tax cuts, keeping government small helps state

Community-based providers push for more mental health funding

Five bold political predictions for 2015

Jeb Bush fuels White House speculation with Greenwich fundraiser

Mitch Perry Report for 1.5.15 – As Afghanistan "winds down," majority still not supportive of war

Mitch Perry Report for 1.5.15 – As Afghanistan “winds down,” majority still not supportive of war

What do you want to hear in Rick Scott’s 2nd inaugural address?