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Guest AuthorFebruary 7, 2016

The Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that students didn’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they brought in a signed letter from their parents. Not everyone is aware of the law and misguided teachers still occasionally force students to stand and say the Pledge. Enter the ACLU and a few non-conformists. Recently, some […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 3, 2016

What’s with Republicans when it comes to HIV/AIDS? President Ronald Reagan refused to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s when it was mysterious and at its peak. Gov. Rick Scott refuses to recognize the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis today in Florida when the Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) can […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 2, 2016

When consumers experience water damage unconnected to hurricanes, they usually call a plumber, a roofing specialist or their insurance company to repair the damage. The plumbing or roofing contractor will probably suggest that the consumer assign the insurance benefits, so that payment for any work will go directly from the insurer to the contractor – […]

Diane RobertsJanuary 28, 2016

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – The Legislature’s Banana Republicans will not rest until Florida starts to be like El Salvador, minus the delicious pupusas. Abortion is illegal in El Salvador — no exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. Anyone who has an abortion, anyone who performs an abortion, can be jailed for murder. […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 27, 2016

Second of three parts ACLU staff attorney Adam Tebrugge and Jacksonville criminal defense attorney D. Gray Thomas say that Florida law destroys the jury-deliberations process in the penalty phase of first-degree murder trials. But they are not the first people who have noticed the difference between a majority vote and a unanimous one. And it’s […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 18, 2016

The assault on Florida’s environment continues as a Senate committee last week approved a bill that would make it easier for petroleum companies to use fracking technology to extract oil and gas in the state. Lest we forget, the administration of Gov. Rick Scott has ordered the words “climate change” scrubbed from official speeches and […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 14, 2016

Oh, it’s not good looking for the citizens of Florida. The Florida Legislature is back in session, and nothing is likely to get done. Don’t take this columnist’s word for it. Go to the state’s Capitol building in Tallahassee, specifically, on the fourth floor, pull up a camping chair and talk with the fourth branch […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 14, 2016

The Legislature is considering so-called alimony “reform” and a 50/50 “presumption” for child custody decisions. Both are bad ideas. “Reform” legislation almost always seems to be about taking away rights, benefits, or protections from less well-off individuals to the advantage of more affluent people and big corporations. Tort “reform” is a prime example. Alimony “reform” […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 13, 2016

The Legislature is considering so-called alimony “reform” and a 50/50 “presumption” for child custody decisions. Both are bad ideas. “Reform” legislation almost always seems to be about taking away rights, benefits, or protections from less well-off individuals to the advantage of more affluent people and big corporations. Tort “reform” is a prime example. Alimony “reform” […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 12, 2016

The Legislature will begin its annual session early this year with the hopes of avoiding the chaos and dysfunction that marked the 2015 Session and three special sessions that followed. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner say the past is the past and there’s no lingering animosity after the two chambers found […]

Tag: Legislature
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Catherine Durkin Robinson: It’s illegal to force students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance

Chris Timmons: Legislature must use common sense, compassion to combat HIV/AIDS

Alan Daley: The new magnet for insurance scams in Florida

Diane Roberts: Legislature following El Salvador’s lead on abortion

Julie Delegal: The Florida Legislature’s history of intransigence

Marc Yacht: State moves fracking regulation bill forward

Chris Timmons: Lawmakers must embrace the joy of true public service

Robert Doyel: Legislature needs research before ‘reforming’ alimony

Robert Doyel: The Legislature needs research before ‘reforming’ alimony

Gambling, guns, tax cuts and more facing Florida lawmakers