Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMarch 9, 2014

The gavel is down and the race is on. The annual session of the Florida Legislature has begun; it ends May 2. As Gov. Rick Scott delivered his fourth State of the State message, he was hoping it would not be his last. The press gallery was overflowing with members of the capitol press corps […]

Guest AuthorMarch 2, 2014

At first, I thought it was a joke — political satire. But no, it was for real. Some people actually think that way. It seems that a Maryland middle school was holding a dance and pizza party complete with a DJ for students who earned straight A’s. Students who got B’s and C’s were invited […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 23, 2014

The curtain is about to go up on the 2014 session of the Florida Legislature and perhaps the top story is not what our leaders will accomplish, but what they will ignore. Since the enactment of term limits, legislators know when they are leaving from the day they are elected. The election night tally begins […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 16, 2014

My parents honeymooned there 80 years ago and growing up I heard stories of this offshore paradise with pristine beaches and clear seas, classy Latin entertainment and a fantastic nightlife. It was a true American tourist destination. They sailed there on the steamship Florida. I have always dreamed of taking the kind of trip my […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 9, 2014

A year ago, the seat was not on anyone’s radar screen. The Republicans didn’t have to defend it and the Democrats couldn’t even dream of it. But then Bill Young announced his retirement and said he would not run for re-election in 2014. Suddenly, it was a marginal seat for the fall elections. Republicans were […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 2, 2014

When I was first elected, one of the first lobbyists to darken my door was a highly paid man who was lobbying for “highway safety” in Florida. He said he was representing a non-profit group that was concerned that the recent conversion of highway signs to metric was a safety hazard as people took their […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 19, 2014

Let me make sure I have the facts straight. In 1989, Dennis McGuire raped, brutalized and stabbed to death Joy Stewart, a young and pregnant newlywed. He was tried, found guilty and sentenced to be executed. Now 25 years later, his last appeals ran out and the order of the court was carried out. The […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 16, 2014

There is an old saying around Florida that if you don’t like the weather just wait a couple of hours and suddenly it will change. Likewise, there are Florida political suddenlies as well. One day nearly 30 years ago, I rolled out of bed, a satisfied member of the Florida House of Representatives cruising to […]

Tag: John Grant

John Grant: The race is on

John Grant: Pizza for all?

John Grant: ‘Bulldozer politics’ is good for politicians, bad for citizens

John Grant: The Cuba conundrum: Free trade or further oppression

John Grant: Sinking America with Alex Sink

John Grant: Medical marijuana amendment is all about Charlie Crist

John Grant: Death penalty is just; a pain-free execution is not guaranteed

John Grant: Florida’s best spectator sport, hands down