Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegJanuary 11, 2015

Florida’s national ranking by Education Week has dropped precipitously, to No. 28. In 2013, Florida was ranked No. 6. When Florida’s public education system rose to No. 6, politicians raced to crow and claim credit. The ranking proved, they said, that Florida’s encouragement of charter and voucher schools and the state’s accountability system were working. […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 7, 2015

The West Palm Beach City Commission has provided a perfect example of how government turns into The Nanny State. At its first meeting of 2015, The Palm Beach Post reports, the Commission voted 4-0 to require bars to post signs reminding customers that it is illegal for people under 21 to buy alcohol and illegal […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 7, 2015

The West Palm Beach City Commission has provided a perfect example of how government turns into The Nanny State. At its first meeting of 2015, The Palm Beach Post reports, the Commission voted 4-0 to require bars to post signs reminding customers that it is illegal for people under 21 to buy alcohol and illegal […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 4, 2015

Candidates mouthed the words “education” a lot in 2014, but it was not a decisive election issue. Still, against the odds, 2015 might be the year the Florida Department of Education makes a sincere effort to make its testing policies reasonable. There has been legitimate concern that Rick Scott, safe in his second term and […]

Jac VerSteegJanuary 4, 2015

Candidates mouthed the words “education” a lot in 2014, but it was not a decisive election issue. Still, against the odds, 2015 might be the year the Florida Department of Education makes a sincere effort to make its testing policies reasonable. There has been legitimate concern that Rick Scott, safe in his second term and […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 29, 2014

There is speculation that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s business ventures could be a drag on his presidential aspirations. Joseph Tanfani of the Los Angeles Times reported that Jeb, to reduce the chance that he will suffer the kind of attacks endured by 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, is giving up gigs such as serving […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 29, 2014

There is speculation that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s business ventures could be a drag on his presidential aspirations. Joseph Tanfani of the Los Angeles Times reported that Jeb, to reduce the chance that he will suffer the kind of attacks endured by 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, is giving up gigs such as serving […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 29, 2014

There is speculation that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s business ventures could be a drag on his presidential aspirations. Joseph Tanfani of the Los Angeles Times reported that Jeb, to reduce the chance that he will suffer the kind of attacks endured by 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, is giving up gigs such as serving […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 23, 2014

President Barack Obama’s decision to push for normalized relations with Cuba eventually can provide new access to special smoking materials for Floridians and tourists. But I’m not talking about Cohibas. I’m talking about “legal” marijuana. As Bloomberg has explained, Obama’s decision to lift some restrictions on Cuba will not result in a flood of Cuban […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 21, 2014

The headline in the South Florida Sun Sentinel was, “Putin: ‘External factors’ led to economic woes” and continued, “Russian President…blasts West’s moves.” The Miami Herald’s Web site headlined the story, “Putin: West wants to defang, declaw Russian bear.” In the Tampa Bay Times, it was: “Putin blames West for Russia’s economic woes.” They – and […]

Tag: Jac Wilder VerSteeg

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The 'They changed the formula' education excuse

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: West Palm plants seeds of the Nanny State

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: West Palm plants seeds of the Nanny State

2015 might bring high-stakes testing reform to Florida

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: 2015 might bring high-stakes testing reform to Florida

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Jeb’s business ties won’t matter in 2016

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Jeb's business ties won't matter in 2016

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Jeb’s business ties won’t matter in 2016

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The path to pot at tribal casinos

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Castros ‘re-gift’ blame-America excuse to Putin