Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2015

Amid a great deal of noise currently being made about the environment in Florida – from Amendment 1’s sweeping mandates on land and water preservation funding to reports that Gov. Rick Scott has outlawed any official discussion about climate change – one player not getting much burn in that arena these days is Jeb Bush. That’s strange, […]

Ryan RayMarch 8, 2015

Amid a great deal of noise currently being made about the environment in Florida – from Amendment 1’s sweeping mandates on land and water preservation funding to reports that Gov. Rick Scott has outlawed any official discussion about climate change – one player not getting much burn in that arena these days is Jeb Bush. That’s strange, […]

Guest AuthorMarch 8, 2015

Florida’s educational ship of state hit an iceberg last week. By the end of the week, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart was insisting that it was just a “small gash” and that the problem had been fixed. Legislators are rushing in to change the route and even suggesting that the ship return to port. The voyage […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

At the end of the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Capitol City’s newspaper printed an editorial cartoon that compared lobbyists to great white sharks. The cartoon asks which species pose a greater threat to Floridians; paid advocates or Jaws. Psychologists tell us we see what we know and what we know influences […]

Peter SchorschMarch 6, 2015

A cry could be heard in the voice of Father Pat O’Neil as he spoke of the love Ken Plante generated in his work in his community and throughout the state of Florida. O’Neil, the director of the Miami Diocese’s Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, celebrated a Mass in Tallahassee Friday for his friend, […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 6, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner, who began the session by saying the state needed to have a “discussion” about Medicaid expansion, explained in a memo to senators why he was pushing ahead with a bill that would extend coverage to 800,000 Floridians. The Thursday memo was accompanied with a detailed breakdown of the lengthy bill that […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 6, 2015

Senate President Andy Gardiner, who began the session by saying the state needed to have a “discussion” about Medicaid expansion, explained in a memo to senators why he was pushing ahead with a bill that would extend coverage to 800,000 Floridians. The Thursday memo was accompanied with a detailed breakdown of the lengthy bill that […]

Guest AuthorMarch 6, 2015

For decades casino lobbyists have tried to turn Florida into Las Vegas. But they have been turned back time and again by voters, legislators, governors and business groups that understand the toxic nature of gambling economics. But gambling lobbyists are back again, this time pushing for the biggest expansion of gambling in Florida’s history. There […]

James CallMarch 5, 2015

The day that was in Florida politics — March 5. Remember the projected $1 billion surplus lawmakers were going to have when they started writing a state budget? Well, don’t be counting on it. Or, that seemed to be the word spreading through the Capitol on Thursday. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, though, told reporters after […]

Phil AmmannMarch 5, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott ordered U.S. and state flags at the Florida Capitol to fly at half-staff Friday in honor of former State Sen. Ken Plante. Plante passed away March 1 after a three-year battle with ALS. First elected to the Senate from Winter Park in 1967, Plante served until 1978. After leaving the Legislature, he remained […]

Tag: Rick Scott
Image via AP.

Good read from Politico — Jeb in the ‘glades

Good read from Politico — Jeb in the 'glades

Catherine Martinez: Florida's Titanic testing journey

The week that was in Florida politics

Ken Plante eulogized for love of his work, dedication to personal principles

Senate President Andy Gardiner memos members: “We have the obligation to make coverage affordable …”

Senate President Andy Gardiner memos members: "We have the obligation to make coverage affordable …"

John Sowinski: Dana Young's gambling bill encourages parasite casinos

The day that was in Florida politics — March 5

Governor orders flags at half-mast to honor Ken Plante