Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorOctober 15, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Guest AuthorOctober 14, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Melissa RossAugust 18, 2015

In the wake of The Florida Times-Union’s powerful dive into dangerous gaps in the state’s mental health care system, advocates pushing for change say they’re readying their strategy to press legislators hard to enact reforms in 2016. “We’re coordinating a statewide advocacy effort, bringing together mental health professionals, advocates, families, and consumers, to really have […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2015

Thanks to an interesting and oft-forgotten historical footnote, the origin of the terms “Upper Chamber” and “Lower Chamber” are not related to power, but were originally derived from the actual physical location of the respective legislative bodies. The story goes that during the first meetings of Congress in NYC’s Federal Hall, the U.S. Senate occupied […]

Phil AmmannMarch 3, 2015

Hours away from the start of the annual 60-day Legislative Session, and the Florida Democratic Party already had a prediction. For them, it is as if the next two months will never happen. “Empty words for middle class, handouts for special interests,” leads the latest FDP email blast to supporters, blowing the Democratic dog whistle […]

Daniel TilsonApril 29, 2014

I’m guessing that about six of every 10 Floridians have no idea the state’s legislative session is in its final days. Probably the same percentage of people know what’s been done in the session, by whom, to whom, for what reasons, and to what possible effect. Mind you, no finger wagging here. I’m not looking […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2014

No one’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session, Mark Twain famously remarked. Unfortunately for many Floridians, the Florida Legislature has taken Twain’s words more as a challenge, rather than a warning. A recent Tampa Bay Times editorial was right when it said that under the current regime in Tallahassee, “it is […]

Daniel TilsonFebruary 19, 2014

Here they go again. A determined cohort of elected officials in our Legislature is trying to turn working and retired people against each other, to better the odds of a dangerous bill becoming destructive law. As reported in The Florida Current, the Senate Community Affairs Committee Tuesday passed a bill by a 5-4 vote that […]

Tag: Legislative Session
This exhibit celebrates late-blooming artistry, proving it’s never too late for bold creativity.

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff

Florida mental health summit: “We will impact the 2016 Legislative Session”

Peter Schorsch: Can Florida's 'Upper House' keep the upper hand?

Email insights: Democrats blow the dog whistle for 2015 Session

Daniel Tilson: Tallahassee attention deficit disorder: Not your fault

Peter Schorsch: Here are some issues that will define the legislative session

Daniel Tilson: Fla. Legislature must stop 2014 attack on public employee pensions