Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegMay 18, 2015

Jeb Bush’s many missteps last week on Iraq got me thinking about Billy Carter. Those of us around for the Jimmy Carter presidency remember Billy. He was the “colorful” one. Or, if you were being less polite, the “dumb” one. You could tell that Jimmy loved his brother. But you also could tell that Jimmy […]

Jac VerSteegMay 4, 2015

Politicians who disagree with Supreme Court rulings frequently point out that the justices are “unelected.” That’s true on both the federal and state levels. Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli echoed that disdain with comments after a majority of Florida Supreme Court justices agreed with an opinion written by Justice Barbara Pariente, who wrote that the […]

Jac VerSteegMay 4, 2015

Politicians who disagree with Supreme Court rulings frequently point out that the justices are “unelected.” That’s true on both the federal and state levels. Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli echoed that disdain with comments after a majority of Florida Supreme Court justices agreed with an opinion written by Justice Barbara Pariente, who wrote that the […]

Jac VerSteegApril 15, 2015

The Florida Legislature has passed, and Gov. Rick Scott has signed, an education reform bill that is dishonest – and politically cowardly – at its core. The measure tries to appease parents and others sick of over-testing. It scales back the number of tests. That’s fine. It also reduces the weight given to tests when […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 31, 2015

Just a quick word about the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s decision to investigate whether Context Florida columnist Daniel Tilson is a threat to Florida Gov. Rick Scott. The FDLE sent an agent to Tilson’s home after he wrote a column about Gov. Scott’s gimmicky tax-cut booth and promoted his work on Facebook with a […]

Jac VerSteegMarch 10, 2015

When I was in the seventh grade I cheated on an English pop quiz. The multiple-choice test was on a short story I had not read. My buddy, Will, put his hand by his cheek if the answer was A, on the desk if the answer was B, on his knee if the answer was […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 25, 2015

Miami Herald political editor Sergio Bustos provided the most fascinating tidbit at Tuesday’s Media Panel sponsored by TaxWatch and held at Gunster law firm in Fort Lauderdale. The topic was gambling in Florida. Will the state reach a new compact with the Seminoles? Will the interests pushing for Las Vegas-style resort casinos finally get clearance […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 24, 2015

The Florida Legislature, always interested in preserving families, is working on a reform that is guaranteed to prevent some breakups. In the short run, that is. What’s the reform? The 2015 session that starts March 3 is almost certain to produce a package of alimony reforms. Alimony was a hot topic two years ago, and […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 23, 2015

The Florida Legislature, always interested in preserving families, is working on a reform that is guaranteed to prevent some breakups. In the short run, that is. What’s the reform? The 2015 session that starts March 3 is almost certain to produce a package of alimony reforms. Alimony was a hot topic two years ago, and […]

Jac VerSteegFebruary 15, 2015

If you don’t like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s stance on education, you might not like President Barack Obama’s stance either. They actually have toured Florida schools together, and both generally are in favor of high-stakes tests that they say bring accountability. Jeb had the FCAT-based school grading system, and the Obama administration was behind […]

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Between Jeb Bush and George W. Bush, which one is Billy?

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: “Unelected” high court chides House for unelecting itself

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Unelected Supreme Court chastises House members for unelecting themselves

Jac VerSteeg: Fewer tests in school-grade formula is like less spit in milk

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: FDLE erred on the side of incompetence

Jac VerSteeg: High-tech tests open doors to cheating

Jac VerSteeg: Why casinos might be out of luck in Florida

Jac VerSteeg: Alimony reform could prevent divorce — for a few months

Jac VerSteeg: Alimony reform could prevent divorce – for a few months

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: How Jeb Bush made going nuts seem sane