Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineSeptember 3, 2018

Florida ranks a not-too-impressive No. 37 on Oxfam America’s Best and Worst States to Work Index. The report, released to coincide with Labor Day, cites the state’s $8.25 per hour minimum wage — less than 32 percent of the estimated living wage for a family of four of $25.87. Moreover, cities and counties lack the power […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 2, 2018

The final days of summer are here. Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, the last hurrah before the fall. It’s a time for barbecues and beers, to spend a few days floating in the pool or relaxing on the deck. But it’s also meant to be a chance to celebrate the American […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 25, 2018

Labor unions exist for a basic reason. Workers in some (not all) professions have learned the hard way not to trust their corporate bosses to do the right thing. Often, they need the leverage a union gives to achieve a living wage, decent working conditions, health care, and, if necessary, severance benefits. So, I don’t […]

Michael MolineMarch 30, 2017

The House approved legislation Thursday that would require the decertification of any public employee union unless at least 50 percent of the eligible workers in a unit pay dues. HB 11 passed on a vote of 75-41, with many Democrats calling it union busting. “It amazes me that we constantly come up with bills that […]

Scott PowersNovember 4, 2016

Democratic nominee Darren Soto has collected $42,200 in large checks for his bid to be elected in the Orlando-based Florida’s 9th Congressional District since he filed his last full campaign finance report stating he had raised $1 million overall and had $83,000 in the bank. Soto’s opponent, Republican nominee Wayne Liebnitzky has neither the starting […]

Scott PowersNovember 3, 2016

U.S. Rep. John Mica and his Democratic opponent Stephanie Murphy now are getting showered with many tens of thousands of dollars in political action committee money heading into the final days before their showdown in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. In the past seven days, from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, Mica’s campaign reported receiving 52 […]

Scott PowersJanuary 15, 2016

State Rep. Darren Soto announced Friday he has received support from four more labor unions, representing allied trades, electrical workers, ironworkers, and aerospace workers. Soto, an Orlando Democrat, is running in the Orlando-based Congressional District 9. The announcement covers the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the International Association […]

Daniel TilsonFebruary 17, 2014

This past weekend old friends Shirley, Jack and Yvonne attended an “open house” at a new adult residential community in their area. Shirley’s recently divorced, unemployed 20-something son Pete tagged along… LOUDSPEAKER: Testing 1 – 2 – is this working? TESTING… PETE: IT’S WORKING, STOP SHOUTING! SHIRLEY: Pete, Shhh! LOUDSPEAKER: So…Welcome to Bonita Boca Verde […]

Daniel TilsonDecember 26, 2013

How’d you like your weekly salary to be 20 percent higher than it is now? How about knowing for sure that if you do your job well, you’re going to get a raise every year or two and have a shot at keeping up with cost of living increases? What about knowing you can’t get […]

Tag: labor unions

Happy Labor Day Florida — or perhaps not so much

Labor Day is brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Joe Henderson: Labor unions should be wary of HB 25

Union-decertification bill clears House on a 75-41 vote

Darren Soto draws $42K in big checks in closing weeks of CD 9 race

PAC money now flooding into CD 7 race

Darren Soto announces more labor union support in CD 9 race

Daniel Tilson: Floridians talking unions – and Tennessee auto plant

Daniel Tilson: Most Florida workers wronged by “Right To Work” law