Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mary Jo MeloneJune 16, 2016

Driving I-4 through Orlando, you see them. The billboards proclaim what is now ho-hum in this country. #OrlandoStrong #LoveOrlando #PrayforOrlando Add this to the list, please. #AmericaSickandTired Have you noticed the phrase “take him out” is now part of our everyday language? We are accustomed to terms like “SWAT team,” “active shooter,” “on lockdown,” “armored […]

Scott PowersJune 15, 2016

Orlando-area clergy, politicians, and leaders of the LGBT community came together Wednesday afternoon at the Orange County Administration Building to preach scripture, love and unity as the city prepares for its 49 Pulse funerals. In what some called a nationally unprecedented showing, dozens of Central Florida clergy representing faiths including the Roman Catholic Church, mainline […]

Guest AuthorJune 15, 2016

“When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” — Mister Rogers Dear Daughter, This week your mama’s birthplace, and where you took YOUR first breath, suffered an attack I am selfishly grateful I […]

Keith MorelliJune 15, 2016

With the outpouring of support in Orlando, the nation and the world over the massacre of 49 innocent victims inside a nightclub over the weekend, an undercurrent of hatred and ignorance bubbled to the surface across the social media spectrum. The vitriol stretched the First Amendment right of everyone in this country to freedom of […]

Larry GriffinJune 15, 2016

After the Pulse nightclub shooting last weekend, Florida Democratic lawmakers made it public Wednesday morning: they’re calling on Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Andy Gardiner for a special legislative session to try and pass laws to ban suspected terror suspects from buying guns. Sen. Darren Soto, Rep. John Cortes, Sen. Geraldine Thompson and others gathered in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 15, 2016

Todd Wilcox rolled out his national security and foreign policy plan on Wednesday, saying the country needs to “examine the context” of the current foreign policy and national security strategy. In his proposal, Wilcox said the nation should “first and foremost defend the homeland” from threats of Islamic terrorism. The country, he said, also needs […]

Scott PowersJune 15, 2016

I’m not religious enough to cite scriptural references in normal circumstances, but we all know the story of Job, and how he endured one calamity after another while his so-called friends tried to convince him to disavow his faith — yet he never did. Welcome to Orlando, where the rhetorical question, “What else can happen?” […]

Melissa RossJune 15, 2016

The mass shooting in Orlando isn’t changing Tommy Hazouri‘s timetable for reintroducing an updated human rights ordinance in Jacksonville. “It’s been our plan all along to do it after the mayor’s sales tax referendum,” Hazouri told WJCT. That said, the former mayor and at-large city councilman says the shootings of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub […]

Guest AuthorJune 15, 2016

Seeing the coverage on TV versus being on the ground in Orlando is candidly a surreal experience. I still remain somewhat shocked when I see images from across the globe showing support for Orlando — the vigils, the monuments lit in rainbow colors, or when I read condolences or tweets from celebrities, prominent figures, citizens, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 15, 2016

Bill Nelson has filed legislation that would require the FBI to be notified if a person under investigation for terrorism ties tries to buy a gun. The proposal, according to the Orlando Democrat’s office, would ensure anyone who is — or has been — investigated for possible ties to terrorism is entered into the National Instant Criminal […]

Tag: Orlando
Close-up. Arrested man handcuffed hands at the back

Mary Jo Melone: Not a column; a plea for Orlando

Men and women of cloth and rainbow unite in Orlando

Leandra Preston-Sidler: Dear daughter, in face of tragedy, try to keep spirit intact

As support mounts for Orlando victims, undercurrent of hate surfaces on social media

Florida Democrats call for special legislation to ban terror suspects from buying guns

Todd Wilcox releases national security and foreign policy proposal

The transformation of Orlando

Tommy Hazouri on Lenny Curry: ‘I’m sure the mayor has his regrets’

Kelly Cohen: This is my Orlando

Bill Nelson files legislation to notify FBI if terrorism suspect buys gun