Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMay 6, 2017

Officials associated with the University of South Florida this weekend are fervently seeking to change the language in an education conforming bill that will keep the university from achieving ‘pre-eminent’ status next year. A loss of the pre-eminent status for USF could result in losing much as $15 million in state funding. “The amount of people who are upset about […]

Scott PowersMarch 27, 2017

After weeks of testimony before his committee on various college and university budget requests, Chairman Larry Ahern of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education Appropriations laid out his proposals Monday to slash Bright Futures money, financial reserves, university support for private organizations, and non-recurring programs, including Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center. Ahern, a Republican state representative […]

Darryl PaulsonMarch 17, 2017

Universities are touted as bastions of diversity whose prime role is to encourage students to engage in critical thinking, ask tough questions and expose themselves to a diversity of ideas and opinions. If that is the mission of the university, they have dismally failed. Diversity is respected, up to a point, as long as it […]

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 […]

Tag: university of south florida

USF community outraged after last-minute budget language is inserted to keep it from achieving ‘pre-eminent’ status

Proposed cuts to colleges and universities unveiled by house committee chair

Darryl Paulson: Do universities discriminate in hiring?

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