Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the James Madison Institute were among the groups discussing this year’s iteration of the Caruthers Institute report “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts” on a Tuesday morning conference call. Dewey Caruthers, president of The Caruthers Institute, which conducts the study, […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

(UPDATE) Before the 2017 Legislative Session, a number of Florida lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — talked a good game on criminal justice reform. Nevertheless, they fell far short on a number of fronts. But there’s always next year, which is why Democratic state Rep. Ben Diamond of St. Petersburg is proposing legislation (HB 481) to […]

Mitch PerryOctober 23, 2017

Advocates supporting issuing civil citations to youth instead of arrests hailed a report issued Monday showing there were 3,000 fewer arrests for “common youth” misbehavior in 2016. And while approximately one-quarter of those arrests came from just three counties — Orange, Hillsborough and Duval — all three have seen a leadership change that could diminish […]

Guest AuthorApril 20, 2017

William Forrester was 52-years-old, on disability, and suffering from numerous health problems when he was arrested in 2008. His offense? A pharmacist filled a fraudulent prescription for 120 oxycodone pills. When he came back the next month to have another prescription filled, which was also fraudulent, the pharmacist called the doctor, who told her he […]

Erin ClarkFebruary 23, 2017

A day after Florida’s House Education Committee voted to send a memorial to Congress seeking fewer strings tied to federal education funding, a health policy panel made the same request for health care funding. The House Health Innovation Subcommittee on Wednesday approved sending a memorial to Congress asking lawmakers to consider giving Medicaid funding to the states […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 23, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron’s plan to buy land south of Lake Okeechobee could cost the Florida economy 4,148 jobs and $695 million a year, according to a new report from conservative think tank James Madison Institute. The report, titled “$ticker $hock,” estimates the land buy would have a direct negative impact of $345 million and […]

William PatrickFebruary 14, 2017

On the same day an Uber- and Lyft-friendly ridesharing bill passed its first committee stop in the Florida House, state Sen. Jeff Brandes was presenting his vision of where he believes the transportation industry is headed. “We’re in a generational shift from the horse and buggy to the Model-T,” Brandes said Wednesday evening at the […]

Staff ReportsNovember 10, 2016

Valerie Wickboldt bids farewell to the conservative James Madison Institute and joins the state’s Department of Revenue as communications director. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with the many talented and dedicated public servants at the Florida Department of Revenue. The Department’s values of character and performance align with me personally,”she said in […]

Peter SchorschOctober 20, 2016

Put aside what you think of the utility-backed ballot solar amendment on the ballot next month. Whether you agree or not that the amendment establishes a right for consumers to own or lease solar equipment and helps local and state governments protect consumer rights and public safety really is up to you. Instead, let’s discuss Sal Nuzzo, […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2016

Donald Trump enjoyed mocking Hillary Clinton earlier this week for all the time she’s taken off the campaign trail recently, but with all three debates now history, it’s clear she knew exactly she was doing — working to be totally prepared for these debates. I know folks like to lower the bar considerably when grading how well […]

Tag: James Madison Institute

Strides made in pre-arrest diversion programs; gaps in schools, rural counties persist

Ben Diamond wants to unshackle judges from minimum drug sentencing

‘Bad Boys’ no more: Juvenile arrests decrease, report says

Mark Holden: A ‘safety valve’ needed for drug mandatory minimum sentencing

Federalism message echoed by Florida health subcommittee members

James Madison Institute says Lake O land buy could cost economy $695 million

Ridesharing bills could pave the way for transformational changes

Personnel note: Valerie Wickboldt joins Dept. of Revenue

Sal Nuzzo probably lost his virginity to his Canadian girlfriend

Mitch Perry Report for 10.20.16 — #Badhombres