Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorApril 9, 2014

Peyton and Holley Moseley are parents. That simple six-word sentence defines them, and it explains why they are the leading advocates in Florida to legalize Charlotte’s Web, a strain of cannabis that may help hundreds of thousands of children deal with their epileptic seizures. Their daughter, RayAnn, is one of those children who may benefit […]

Guest AuthorApril 2, 2014

The Environmental Protection Agency lifted in March its ban imposed on BP. For me, the decision felt like hearing a serial killer had been granted a pardon and released into our community. BP’s history shows how it has repeatedly put American lives and our environment at risk. Lifting the ban allows them back in our […]

Guest AuthorMarch 26, 2014

Last weekend, I was invited to attend a reunion celebration of the 20th anniversary of Joe Scarborough’s first campaign for Congress. Scarborough and his team did something that we rarely see in our lifetimes. They changed the course of politics not only in Northwest Florida, but the entire state. In 1994, Bill Clinton was president, […]

Guest AuthorMarch 12, 2014

State Sen. Alan Hayes, R-Umatilla, wants more guns in Florida schools. His rationale is more guns in the hallways and classrooms will deter another Columbine High School or Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Really? His SB 968 would allow principals and school superintendents to appoint staff members or volunteers who are military veterans with honorable […]

Guest AuthorMarch 5, 2014

Northwest Florida has felt like the redheaded stepchild of Florida ever since term limits forced the powerful W.D. Childers out of the Florida Senate in 2000. Before then, the westernmost counties could dominate the Florida Legislature because they always re-elected the incumbents. Today, we have to share legislative power with the rest of the state, […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 5, 2014

When a politician breaks ranks and looks past the surface of an issue to take a stand that his party might not initially approve, that gets my attention. We live in an age of sound bites and tweets that offer little room for in-depth analysis or thoughtful reflection. Most would rather avoid the fight. State […]

Guest AuthorDecember 11, 2013

In Northwest Florida, politics is a blood sport. There is one brewing now that deserves statewide attention. On one side is Mayor Ashton Hayward, who was elected three years ago as Pensacola’s first strong mayor. He’s a handsome, likeable person with a big bright smile and who likes to speak of big ideas. Hayward has […]

Guest AuthorNovember 13, 2013

The Florida Legislature is looking at rewriting our laws regulating gambling. The Florida Senate Gaming Committee is holding hearings around the state gathering public input. Some feel that the lawmakers will be enticed to open the door for Las Vegas-style casinos to come into the state. For decades, Florida had only three legal forms of […]

Guest AuthorNovember 10, 2013

When Rick Scott ran for governor in 2010, he campaigned primarily against President Obama, even though his Democratic opponent was actually Alex Sink. Using more than $70 million of his own money, the relatively unknown newcomer flooded homes daily with two or three colorful fliers that either bashed Obama or linked Sink to the president’s […]

Guest AuthorOctober 31, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott and our state lawmakers tried to make Florida welfare recipients submit to drug testing. Scott also wanted state workers to be drug tested. School boards across the state have instituted random drug testing for students and teachers. The new state symbol could easily become the urine specimen collection cup, especially if Gov. […]

Tag: Rick Outzen

Rick Outzen: Loving parents advocate for legalization of Charlotte’s Web

Rick Outzen: Lifting ban on BP is like granting a pardon to a serial killer

Rick Outzen: Scarborough’s 94 campaign began GOP revolution

Rick Outzen: Apply some common sense before letting more guns in schools

Rick Outzen: Panhandle grumbles over State of the State address

Rick Outzen: Charlotte’s Web bill: Rep. Gaetz to the rescue

Rick Outzen: A Panhandle political battle is brewing

Rick Outzen: I hear a singing pig if legislators pass new gambling laws

Rick Outzen: Will Scott bash Obama to win re-election in 2014?

Rick Outzen: I will, if you will, Governor Scott