Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 27, 2015

Every day in Florida, countless volunteers serve in our schools, mentoring and tutoring our most vulnerable children. They serve at senior centers, state parks, and even in our homes, providing meals to homebound individuals and caring for those with unique abilities. They make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier. That is why Volunteer Florida is […]

Bob SparksMarch 12, 2015

democratic_vs_republican_party_in_america-1024x1024.jpg

Florida Republican legislators are waving the white flag. The fight seems to be over. Peace is at hand. After two insurrections against Republican National Committee (RNC) mandates covering presidential primary dates, the Florida House and Senate are poised to make a wise decision to cease hostilities. House Bill 7035 (and a companion Senate bill) opens […]

Guest AuthorMarch 11, 2015

I’ve often heard the saying that “those who refuse to study history are destined to repeat it.” Well, what about those who refuse to examine the present? Recently, the director of the Children and Adults Health Programs in the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) at CMS revealed what those of us in the world of […]

Guest AuthorMarch 11, 2015

Only two months into the New Year and already the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has started to release polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, resulting in water flowing into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers, and the Indian River Lagoon, which is expected to continue over the coming weeks and months. Millions of Floridians are […]

Florence SnyderMarch 8, 2015

Tallahassee’s Red Hills Horse Trials isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for working class people looking to spend a spring afternoon outdoors with the kids. It’s easy to feel intimidated by a United States Equestrian Association event which attracts an international crowd of die-hard members of the horsey set. But the “suggested donation” […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 2, 2015

A bit of ancient wisdom in the legal profession holds that if the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. And if both the facts and law are against you? Argue jurisdiction: tell the court that it has no business hearing the case. Secretary of State […]

Florence SnyderMarch 2, 2015

“Revered lobbyist” is usually an oxymoron, but not when applied to Ken Plante, who died Sunday night of Lou Gehrig’s disease. As the tributes pour in, it is hard to believe there was ever a time when Plante was not beloved of government reformers and their cheerleaders on Florida’s editorial boards. But that’s how it […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 27, 2015

A bill that would substantially change state review of proposed large development projects has been filed, but whether it will pass the Senate and House remains a big question. Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson, chairman of the Senate committee that oversees growth management, has filed SB 562, which would eliminate the existing state review process […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 3, 2015

a-lot-of-money-a-million-us-dollars-in-cash-real-money-1024x1024.jpg

A short quiz on recent news: 1) Florida taxes its poorest citizens at what rate in proportion to the richest? Half as much. The same. Twice as much. Nearly seven times as much. 2) In which of these states did the wealthiest 1 percent NOT capture ALL the post-recession income growth between 2009 and 2012? […]

Tag: outside opinions
Donald Trump gets a rude awakening.

Rick Dantzler — Dear Legislator: Where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?

Chester Spellman: April is Florida Volunteer Month

Bob Sparks: Florida nears end of renegade primary era

Sal Nuzzo: We who oppose federal socialized medicine salute you!

Eric Eikenberg: To stop polluting rivers, buy land for reservoir

Florence Snyder: Postcard from Red Hills

Martin Dyckman: Rick Scott is rich, and the disclosure law is poor

Florence Snyder: In respectful remembrance of Ken Plante

Bruce Ritchie: Will bill to end state review of large developments pass?

Martin Dyckman: Is glaring income gap getting Jeb Bush's attention?