Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2015

During a story arc of the third season of 30 Rock, Jon Hamm plays Drew, the boyfriend of Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon. In the episode “The Bubble,” Fey begins to notice that people treat Hamm differently because of his good looks. After watching a traffic cop rip up a ticket for Drew, and fashion […]

Daniel TilsonApril 26, 2015

Florida earned its status as America’s favorite political punchline. During the past 15-20 years our electoral systems, public policy formation, lawmaking and regulatory processes all fell under the control of hardcore conservative Republicans. Their dogged pursuit, preservation and expansion of political power has been so successful that the very notion of Florida still being a […]

Guest AuthorApril 25, 2015

Florida’s homeowners and neighborhoods need a doctor. We need someone who can perform surgery on a very bad bill, a bill that sticks homeowners in the heart with what amounts to a legislatively mandated dues increase. I want to be crystal clear about this: CS/CS/CS/SB 736 aka, the “estoppel bill,” will force homeowners’ dues to […]

Guest AuthorApril 24, 2015

Legislation being debated in Tallahassee — SB 728 — will raise costs for the state’s employers, consumers and public programs, while offering no clinical benefit to patients. In an effort to lower prescription drug abuse, the bill forces health plans to cover the most expensive brand name opioids even when more affordable generics are available. […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the Constitution’s primary mandate for the Legislature. The Florida budget, like any budget, is comprised of two components: income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by Floridians and visitors […]

Guest AuthorApril 22, 2015

For more than five decades, local governments and utility companies have had a very good arrangement that works well for everyone. When a private utility needs to run such things as transmission or cable lines, the utility enters into an agreement with a local government and this agreement allows the privately-owned infrastructure to be placed […]

Phil AmmannApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Bob SparksApril 21, 2015

In order to adjourn on time, all 160 members of the Florida Legislature must have a budget on their desks sometime on April 28. Florida law requires legislators have at least 72 hours to look over the budget before voting on it just before sine die on May 1. The odds of completing a budget […]

Guest AuthorApril 20, 2015

Six years ago, when Katie Swingle’s son was only 18 months old, a doctor reported that her boy’s autism would probably prevent him from ever being able to speak. Today, Katie’s son is not only communicating orally, but he’s also writing – in cursive! And Katie says the Florida Legislature is partly to thank. That’s […]

Guest AuthorApril 20, 2015

It makes sense for President Barack Obama to be in the Everglades on Earth Day. According to the White House, he will draw attention to both the Everglades and the massive economic consequences of global warming and climate change. Obama is likely to echo what a former Friends of the Everglades director said over a […]

Tag: Legislature

Peter Schorsch: When will Speaker Steve Crisafulli's bubble burst?

Daniel Tilson: America worries about Florida politics more than Floridians do

Roger Kesselbach: Bad bill for homeowners needs major surgery

Mark Merritt: Legislation would raise costs, fail to reduce prescription drug abuse

Garrett Richter: Health care in Florida: It’s our money and we deserve a return

Sam Ferreri: 'Severe negative fiscal impact' of utilities changes = tax increase

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

Bob Sparks: So far for this Legislature, the FHIX is not in

William Mattox: Expand innovative program for special-needs students

Alan Farago: Mr. President, use Everglades backdrop to shun sugar cash