Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 4, 2015

You see them haunting television commercials, old-time stars now hawking all sorts of stuff to make themselves some money and seem relevant. Here’s Shaquille O’Neal peddling medical products, as if we’d ever ask Shaq for advice about anything except how to dunk a basketball. There’s country crooner Kenny Rogers with yet another tired rendition of […]

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 […]

Associated PressJanuary 2, 2015

Jeb Bush has resigned all of his board memberships – both nonprofit and business – in a move that helps clear a path toward a 2016 presidential campaign. The former Florida governor stepped down from his remaining board memberships on Wednesday, the last day of the year, an aide said Wednesday night. It’s a continuation […]

Associated PressJanuary 2, 2015

Sen. Marco Rubio says he’s moving closer to a decision on whether to seek the Republican presidential nomination, but he’s not there yet. Rubio tells National Public Radio “this is not a gut decision.” He also says in an interview broadcast Thursday that he doesn’t have a “date in mind or a time frame in […]

Mitch PerryDecember 31, 2014

Some of these are outright predictions, but most of these stories are events that we’ll be watching for in 2015. 1 – Florida State’s reign as national champions ends January 1, 8:30 p.m. eastern time. It was great while it lasted, but the Noles’ uncanny run of luck and two-year undefeated run comes crashing down on New […]

Julie DelegalDecember 30, 2014

Chutzpah. That’s what Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has. Not for accepting lavish vacations from the lobbyists who fund the Republican Attorneys General Association. No, that’s a whole ’nother column. AG Bondi has the chutzpah to pretend, for the sake of politics, that Florida’s Clerks of Court are exempt from obeying the United States Constitution. U.S. […]

Gary FineoutDecember 30, 2014

A Florida judge on Tuesday tossed out a lawsuit aimed at blocking an expansion of the state’s main private school voucher program. Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis didn’t rule directly on the main points of the lawsuit. But instead he said that those who filed it didn’t legally show how the expansion would harm them. […]

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 […]

Tag: Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush fuels White House speculation with Greenwich fundraiser

2015 might bring high-stakes testing reform to Florida

Mark O'Brien: Jeb and Hillary, please stay home

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

Bush resigns from remaining board memberships

Rubio moving close to decision on presidential run

Things to watch for in 2015

Julie Delegal: No ban on Pam Bondi’s chutzpah

Florida judge dismisses voucher expansion lawsuit

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