Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2018

Our expectations of a three-day weekend filled with backyard barbecues and relaxation have been met with the reality of the precocious 2018 Hurricane Season. As of Friday afternoon, it appears the Sunshine State will get a soaking over the holiday, thanks to the untimely formation of now-Subtropical Storm Alberto — six days ahead of the […]

Staff ReportsMay 19, 2018

This week, an extra 10 cities, including Tallahassee, were officially tacked onto a lawsuit challenging a state law that gives the Legislature the sole authority to regulate firearms and ammunition. The original lawsuit was filed in April by several South Florida cities frustrated at their inability to further restrict guns through acts of the local […]

Staff ReportsMay 12, 2018

On hypocrisy and Parkland reforms The 2018 Legislative Session is behind them, but Florida Democrats aren’t relenting in opposing a plan to arm non-teacher personnel in schools. As school districts statewide determine whether to implement the optional Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, the Democrats are using the opportunity to dish out arguments critical of their […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2018

Florida State University President John Thrasher has a big decision to make: change controversial name recognitions on campus — or leave ‘em be? On Friday a university panel charged with reviewing FSU namings approved a proposal to relocate a statue commemorating Francis Eppes and wipe his association to the building housing the university’s criminology and criminal justice program. Also included: a […]

Staff ReportsApril 28, 2018

When the Leon County School Board — situated in the backyard of a school-choice friendly Capitol — voted unanimously this week to block two charters from setting up shop, it was framed as “sending a message to the state.” Following the rejection of proposed charters Plato Academy and Tallahassee Classical School, Superintendent Rocky Hanna said, “Today is the […]

Peter SchorschApril 14, 2018

The Tallahassee Police Department’s Special Investigations Section closed a case this past week that exudes “Florida man.” The unit got a tip that local jeweler Jose P. Cancel, 59, was doing some shady stuff out of the backroom of his Thomasville Road storefront. When officers arrived with search warrants in hand, those suspicions were confirmed. […]

Peter SchorschApril 7, 2018

Predictions of bad weather are befouling plans for the annual Springtime Tallahassee festivities in the capital. Organizers on Friday canceled the Jubilee in the Park, which usually features arts and crafts booths from hundreds of vendors, and rescheduled the parade for 10 a.m., the Tallahassee Democrat reported late Friday. The National Weather Service was forecasting “showers and […]

Phil AmmannMarch 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill this week aimed at eradicating invasive species, such as the rightly maligned Burmese python, from wreaking havoc in Sunshine State ecosystems. SB 168 creates a pilot program within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) allowing them to hire private contractors to capture or kill any of a […]

Staff ReportsMarch 24, 2018

One of the state’s premier breweries just got a lot closer to the Capitol. Proof Brewing Company announced this week it would move its operations to an old Coca-Cola Bottling Company building on South Monroe Street, within walking distance of downtown Tallahassee and Cascades Park. The brewery is now housed in a former warehouse in […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session came and went, and Brian Pitts of the advocacy group Justice 2 Jesus was nowhere to be found. One of the last times he was spotted was November at the Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee. It was the last meeting for former state Rep. Neil Combee and after he said farewell, […]

Tag: takeaways

Takeaways from Tallahassee — When it rains …

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Capitol vs. capital

Takeaways from Tallahassee — On hypocrisy and Parkland reforms

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Rewriting history?

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Charter school chatter

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Taking a ‘bite’ out of crime

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Weather affects ‘Springtime’

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Python purge

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A brewer gets bigger

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Where is Justice 2 Jesus?