Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Les NeuhausFebruary 23, 2017

Rep. Randy Fine introduced HB 17 simply as a measure to keep commerce moving on an upward trajectory under the leadership of local governments, flourishing enough to bring prosperity to their respective communities. “Its intent is to help businesses thrive and grow – that’s its purpose,” Fine told FloridaPolitics.com by telephone on Thursday from Tallahassee. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 7, 2017

Charlie Crist announced Tuesday he would be serving on the influential House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Also, the first-year Democratic congressman from St. Petersburg hired two new constituent service representatives — Michael Batista and Dillion Stafford — who will help assist Crist’s constituents of Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Since Crist was recently named […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 6, 2017

The Senate Committee on Education Monday passed Senate Bill 374, the College Competitiveness Act of 2017, sponsored by Republican Sen. Dorothy Hukill of Port Orange and co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Bill Galvano of Bradenton, and Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson of Trilby. Senate Bill 374 is a component of the Florida Excellence in Higher Education […]

Phil AmmannDecember 6, 2016

In a pair of Context Florida columns titled, “The Shame of Florida,” Darryl Paulson has documented how Florida infamously leads the nation in the number of people—1.7-million—who are permanently barred from voting as ex-felons regardless of whether they are good citizens now. In Florida, as in Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee and other former Confederate states, these […]

Joe HendersonNovember 22, 2016

Remember that measure some Republicans in the Legislature have tried to pass the last couple of years to allow guns on college campuses? You know, the bill the House passed last year before it died in the Senate (thank goodness). Well, it’s back. Of course, it’s back. It never really left, and it won’t leave […]

Florence SnyderNovember 21, 2016

For an academic who can’t keep his hands off the co-eds, friends with funds sure do come in handy. That’s the takeaway from the tawdry tale of the University of South Florida’s Herb Maschner. The aptly named anthropologist left his longtime professional home at Idaho State University for USF, bringing with him a long-standing relationship […]

Joe HendersonNovember 8, 2016

Republican Shawn Harrison held on in a rough-and-tumble race against challenger Lisa Montelione to represent House District 63. With all precincts reporting, Harrison had 51 percent of 71,483 votes cast. Montelione held a close early lead but Harrison overcame that and steadily pulled ahead as the night progressed. “Obviously, we’re very happy,” Harrison said in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 12, 2016

A majority of Floridians would support a shift to an open primary system. About two-thirds (67 percent) of self-identified registered voters believe Florida should move to an open primary system, according to a new USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey. The survey found 30 percent of respondents think the state should keep the current system. Florida has […]

Mitch PerryOctober 10, 2016

Cecile Richards paid a visit to the University of South Florida campus Monday, where she told an audience consisting of mostly female students, that people like themselves — especially those living in Florida’s Interstate 4 corridor — will help decide the presidential election next month. “Millennial voters are going to determine who the next president is,” […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 6, 2016

The most important issue facing Florida in 2016? The economy. The 2016 USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey found the economy remains one of the most important issues facing Florida. The report, released Thursday, found two-thirds of Floridians feel financial stress in their own household. “The notion that the economy has not fully recovered is evident with […]

Tag: university of south florida
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Randy Fine: Bill bolsters local businesses, not victimize LGBT community; detractors aren’t buying it

Charlie Crist named to influential House Science, Space committee; hires 2 constituent staffers

Senate Education Committee passes College Competitiveness Act

Martin Dyckman: End the ‘shame’ by restoring voting rights to ex-felons

Joe Henderson: Despite opposition, ‘campus carry’ returns

USF’s Herb Maschner loses title, but not money

Shawn Harrison holds on in rough-and-tumble HD 63 race

67% of Floridians support moving to open primaries

Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards to USF students: Millennials will decide this election

New survey shows the economy, jobs remain top concerns for Floridians