Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 24, 2015

The Senate Regulated Industries took about 90 minutes to do what the Department of Health, growers and investors haven’t been able to do since last August — agree on a regulatory structure allowing Florida’s first legal marijuana crop to be planted. “This is about fulfilling a promise,” Sen. Rob Bradley said of his glitch bill for the […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2014

The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by Libertarian Party candidate for governor, Adrian Wyllie, seeking to force his way in to next week’s debate between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist is another case of history repeating itself. In 2006, Reform Party candidate for governor, Max Linn, filed a federal lawsuit in an effort […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 25, 2014

In September predicting the outcome of a major election like the governor’s race in Florida is premature, to say the least. With the election more than six weeks away, there is still plenty of time for events, both planned and unplanned, to significantly affect the outcome. Every campaign fears the dreaded October Surprise. Often it […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 7, 2014

Over the years I’ve had the privilege to meet some amazing people. One of the most impressive people I’ve worked with is Jim Brown. Jim has lived an amazing life as an athlete, civil rights advocate and movie star. Today’s generation of football fans has little appreciation for Jim’s dominance on the gridiron. He played […]

Guest AuthorAugust 4, 2014

Over the past two years there has been a concerted effort to expand gambling at greyhound racetracks in Florida. This effort has been promoted with a misinformation campaign that would make any Minister of Propaganda proud. Rather than openly push for the expansion of gambling, many of those behind this effort have pushed for the […]

Guest AuthorMay 8, 2014

I was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000 and quickly participated in my first session — a special session called to determine which candidate for president would be awarded Florida’s electoral votes. There were 14 sessions during my first three years in office. Many of those sessions were special sessions needed to […]

Guest AuthorApril 8, 2014

Florida has always been a very conservative state when it comes to gambling. Voters rejected casino gambling three time (1978, 1986 and 1994). The state aggressively challenged the Seminole Tribe when they opened a high stakes bingo parlor in 1979. Even the state lottery was not approved until 1984. Pursuant to Article X section 7 […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 4, 2014

Greyhound racing has a rich history in Florida. The first greyhound racetrack opened in Florida more than 100 years ago. Our state quickly became the nation’s unofficial capital of the sport. Greyhound racing became one of the most popular spectator sports in America. While some of Florida’s smaller tracks have closed in recent years, greyhound […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 14, 2014

In 2010 USA Today reported that roughly 30 percent of college freshmen are the first in their family to attend college. Twenty-four percent of college freshmen are first generation and low income. Nationally, a shocking 89 percent of low-income first-generation college students leave school within six years without a degree. They leave for a variety […]

Guest AuthorNovember 10, 2013

It seems like every year a new debate arises on the latest way to “fix” Florida’s education system. The latest example is the debate over Common Core. Unfortunately, we will never truly develop a world-class school system until we discard the current piecemeal approach. True and lasting reform requires coordinated reforms that affect every aspect […]

Tag: Jeff Kottkamp

Charlotte’s Web fix clears committee stop

Jeff Kottkamp: History repeated with legal challenge over gubernatorial debate

Jeff Kottkamp: In a close governor’s race, watch out for an ‘October Surprise’

Jeff Kottkamp: Legendary NFL running back says that winning is a team effort

Jeff Kottkamp: Campaign to end dog racing is just a ruse to expand casinos

Jeff Kottkamp: Low-key legislative session was a lull before election fireworks

Jeff Kottkamp: Legislature should be wary of turning dog tracks into mini-casinos

Jeff Kottkamp: Unreported wagers a losing bet for Florida’s taxpayers

Jeff Kottkamp: Raising tuition reduces access to higher education

Jeff Kottkamp: Six steps to a quality education system