Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 26, 2015

There may be hope this year for Medicaid expansion in the Florida House of Representatives. House Minority Leader Mark Pafford said at a press conference on Thursday that he thinks House Speaker Steve Crisafulli may agree to a health care plan that would tap into federal Medicaid dollars to craft a plan for Florida. Why? […]

Guest AuthorMarch 23, 2015

My publisher thinks Charlie Crist’s announcement that he will not be a candidate in 2016 signals the end of the Crist era. I hope he’s wrong. He’s a political insider. I’m an unemployed steelworker who hangs around the Capitol like others do a tavern, pool hall or barbershop. My sense is that the Crist brand represents something more […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

My publisher thinks Charlie Crist’s announcement that he will not be a candidate in 2016 signals the end of the Crist era. I hope he’s wrong. My boss is a political insider. I’m an unemployed steelworker who hangs around the Capitol like others do a tavern, pool hall or barbershop. My sense is that the Crist brand represents […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

My publisher thinks Charlie Crist’s announcement that he will not be a candidate in 2016 signals the end of the Crist era. I hope he’s wrong. My boss is a political insider. I’m an unemployed steelworker who hangs around the Capitol like others do a tavern, pool hall or barbershop. My sense is that the Crist brand represents […]

James CallMarch 20, 2015

This week in Florida politics, gulfs widened: The separation between the House and Senate, environmentalists and lawmakers, and relevancy and the Democratic Party grew wider and deeper. The Senate moved $5 billion further away from the House over a state budget for next year. The Senate has a plan to fill the hole created by […]

James CallMarch 19, 2015

A record number inmates — 346 — died last year in Florida prisons. Most were from natural causes, but Federal and state law enforcement agencies are investigating why there were so many deaths. In recent legislative hearings, several prison guards testified under oath about the stressful conditions they work under. Republican Sen. Greg Evers of Baker […]

James CallMarch 12, 2015

House Democrats say the push to change the pension system for government workers is based on flawed and unlikely assumptions. Speaker Steve Crisafulli wants to overhaul the Florida Retirement System. The goal is to move new workers out of the traditional defined-benefits plan to a 401(K) type defined-contribution plan that would be more portable for when workers […]

James CallMarch 12, 2015

House Democrats say the push to change the pension system for government workers is based on flawed and unlikely assumptions. Speaker Steve Crisafulli wants to overhaul the Florida Retirement System. The goal is to move new workers out of the traditional defined-benefits plan to a 401(K) type defined-contribution plan that would be more portable for when workers […]

James CallMarch 11, 2015

OK folks, get your note cards ready because it’s going to start getting complicated quickly. When people say politics is all about the money they are right. The only reason the state Capitol represents a village during the 60-day annual Legislative Session is because billions of dollars are at stake — everyone wants a piece […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 11, 2015

Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation, says the Florida residents affected by discharges from Lake Okeechobee need to let state leaders know about their concerns. Eikenberg is at the Capitol this week meeting with House and Senate leaders including House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner. He’s trying to get state leaders […]

Tag: Mark Pafford
Rodney Guttman, image via University of West Florida.

House minority leader sees chance for Medicaid expansion this session

James Call: Charlie Crist's era of 'the people' needs to continue

Charlie Crist, Allison Tant are workers' only hope

Charlie Crist, Allison Tant are workers’ only hope

The week that was in Florida politics — March 20

House prepares Corrections bill; Democrats say it lacks oversight

House Democrats equate FRS to "apple pie" worth defending

House Democrats equate FRS to “apple pie” worth defending

The Day That Was in Florida Politics — March 11

Everglades Foundation's Eric Eikenberg presses case for land buy