Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanSeptember 23, 2014

If the Legislature decrees that two plus two equals five or that water runs uphill, does that make it so? A similar question is percolating in the Florida courts. Does a blind trust constitute “full and public disclosure” of the financial interests of a public official? Common sense says no. A law passed in 2013 […]

Julie DelegalJuly 21, 2014

Judge Terry Lewis’ ruling invalidating the boundaries of two congressional districts was issued on July 10 — a Thursday. Lawmakers quietly “considered” whether to appeal on Friday. They deliberated over the weekend, and thought some more on Monday. It turns out, as we’ll see below, that their period of deliberation may have been, well, deliberate. […]

Peter SchorschJuly 2, 2014

In a one-two punch from the Tampa Bay Times, columnists John Romano and Daniel Ruth both blame the lack of competitive legislative races this election cycle on the redistricting process. They believe gerrymandering has turned the system into an anti-Democratic incumbent protection plan. There’s no denying the lack of competitive (never mind interesting) legislative races […]

Mark FerruloJune 1, 2014

Secret meetings. Deleted emails. Hiding documents from the public. Perhaps nothing exemplifies Florida’s “Government in the Shadows” under Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Florida more than the ongoing legal battle over redistricting. The redistricting trial is exposing the partisan hijinks and shady backroom conniving that enabled Republican leaders to pick their voters […]

Daniel TilsonApril 21, 2014

The fast-approaching, official end of the Florida legislative session is known as “Sine Die.” That’s Latin. It means the legislature adjourns with no fixed date for future meetings. True to form, when the respective House and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms stand side by side in the Capitol Rotunda on May 2 and drop their white hankies signifying […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2014

No one’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session, Mark Twain famously remarked. Unfortunately for many Floridians, the Florida Legislature has taken Twain’s words more as a challenge, rather than a warning. A recent Tampa Bay Times editorial was right when it said that under the current regime in Tallahassee, “it is […]

Daniel TilsonFebruary 19, 2014

Here they go again. A determined cohort of elected officials in our Legislature is trying to turn working and retired people against each other, to better the odds of a dangerous bill becoming destructive law. As reported in The Florida Current, the Senate Community Affairs Committee Tuesday passed a bill by a 5-4 vote that […]

Daniel TilsonJanuary 29, 2014

Millions of middle-class Floridians will have the opportunity this year to prove an important point to comfortably incumbent state legislators. The point? When members of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives distort or hide the truth about their achievements, motives, methods and goals, sufficient numbers of voters will be savvy enough to catch on […]

Tag: Senate President Don Gaetz

Martin Dyckman: Blind trusts protect the politicians, not the taxpayers

Julie Delegal: Timing of decision not to appeal districts ruling was questionable

Peter Schorsch: Don’t blame gerrymandering for lack of competitive races

Mark Ferrulo: Government in the shadows, not the sunshine

Daniel Tilson: ‘Live And Let Die’ legislators

Peter Schorsch: Here are some issues that will define the legislative session

Daniel Tilson: Fla. Legislature must stop 2014 attack on public employee pensions

Daniel Tilson: Florida Republicans reveal 2014 legislative agenda