Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftySeptember 1, 2015

A third Republican and likely to be the fourth candidate overall seeking the vacant Florida House District 41 next year filed his qualification papers Tuesday. Retired 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Charlie Davis filed to run as a Republican for the east Polk County House seat that will be left vacant by Rep. John […]

Bill RuftyAugust 19, 2015

Democrats in Polk County have been working feverously to attract a local big name to one of the Florida Legislature seats they’d like to win next year. With courteous phone calls and pleasantries, the party’s selection committee has been courting former Circuit Judge Robert Doyel to challenge Republican state Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland for […]

Diane RobertsAugust 18, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – They stamp their feet, they scream till they’re sick, and hold their breath till they’re blue. They act like 5-year-olds caught with their grotty little paws in the cookie jar, their faces covered in crumbs, as they swear they didn’t do anything wrong. The Special – or Remedial – Session. While all […]

Diane RobertsAugust 17, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – They stamp their feet, they scream till they’re sick, and hold their breath till they’re blue. They act like 5-year-olds caught with their grotty little paws in the cookie jar, their faces covered in crumbs, as they swear they didn’t do anything wrong. The Special – or Remedial – Session. While all […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Phil AmmannApril 20, 2015

A Lakeland hospice threatened with closing by the state, could be saved by a bill making its way through the Legislature. On Tuesday, Estero Republican Rep. Ray Rodrigues will introduce an amendment to HB 441, with legislative language to help Compassionate Care Hospice on Drane Field Road to continue serving terminally ill patients. This year, the […]

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 […]

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 30, 2015

Compassion can be a powerful force, especially when it’s a company doing the right thing for employees and clients. Despite threats of law enforcement action and regulatory sanctions, a Lakeland hospice ordered to close by the state over a “disputed clerical error” is still taking care of its personnel and terminally ill patients. Florida’s Agency […]

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Bill Rufty: A 4th candidate for HD 41

Bill Rufty: A challenger for Kelli Stargel? Growing pains for Lakeland

Diane Roberts: Democracy in Florida remains lost in spite of new maps

Diane Roberts: Democracy in Florida remains lost in spite of new maps

The irony of how redistricting has resurrected Charlie Crist

Martin Dyckman: Redistricting irony: The resurrection of Charlie Crist

Amended House bill may save Lakeland hospice

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

Rick Dantzler: Dear legislator, where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?

Threatened Lakeland hospice does "right thing," keeps paying workers