Columns

With the federal shutdown over--for at least three weeks--members of the Florida congressional delegation weighed in on the aftermath. 

You knew Gov. Ron DeSantis' thank-you paybacks were coming. 

Since she began running for Congress, most Republicans have considered Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as nothing more than a joke. Her gaffes  when talking to the press have become legendary. The fact she was elected and installed as the youngest member of the House of Representatives as a “Democratic Socialist” should be noted. She may seem to be naive, but she is being warmly received by liberals as the savior of her party.

This weekend the national media managed to embarrass themselves on a wide scale by over-dramatizing the confrontation between an Indian elder and a group of Kentucky high school students in Washington D.C. The episode was blown up to hysterical proportions, and a number of politicians, pundits, and professional harpies joined in. And who joined the fray but former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum.

You can take it to the bank: A constitutional amendment for a $15-an-hour minimum wage will be on the 2020 ballot in Florida. As John Morgan said Tuesday in his announcement, “One good thing is, I understand how to do this."

Conservative Carlos Muñiz is Gov. Ron DeSantis' third and final choice to replace the three justices who have mandatorily retired on the Florida Supreme Court. DeSantis, with Lt. Gov Jeanette Nuñez and the Muñiz family at his side, made the announcement during a Tuesday morning press conference on the doorstep of the Governor's Mansion. In his remarks, DeSantis said, “The court is going to apply the law as written. You may not agree with every decision, but (the justices) are not going to go off on a major tangent. I think that is very good for us. I think that the separation of powers will be strengthened with the newly constituted court.” “The role of a judge is to preserve the Constitution, not to add to it or subtract from it,” Muniz said. “I believe strongly in judicial independence, but judges have to earn that independence through their fidelity to the Constitution.”

As the new freshman class of congressional women bopped, hopped and doo-wopped into town, old sourpusses smirked -- they'll meet reality soon enough.

The reports came swift and sharp and with a notable tone of relief among the media when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was rescinding former Gov. Rick Scott's 11th-hour appointments. Many journalists wasted no time praising the DeSantis move as good news. But they expressed shock he would do such a thing without first protecting Scott appointee Andrew Pollack, father of Parkland shooting victim Meadow Pollack. 

Just days into the new year, some members of the Florida congressional delegation unveiled a proposal to permanently ban oil drilling off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico to federal waters, dozens of miles offshore, far out of sight and away from any fishing or recreational activities. Supporters claim these steps, if approved, will help Floridians. We’re listening to our constituents, they say.

A week ago, a bitter Janet Hazelit, a one-time employee in the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office, appeared on a local TV station in South Florida calling the removal of former Broward Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes "a race thing. ..."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has written President Trump to suggest that he postpone his State of the Union address, citing her "security concerns" over the ability of the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security to protect government officials during the shutdown.

In an ironic twist, in the same city where Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out his no-holds-barred environmental statement last week,  another multimillion-dollar water-contamination crisis has reared its ugly head.

In the 2016 presidential election, the United States Supreme Court appointments were front and center when Americans made up their minds and cast their votes. They understood that nothing less than freedom, the cause of liberty and the fate of our nation was at stake.

Disgruntled former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel wasted no time in retaliating after Gov. Ron DeSantis removed and replaced him last week. The controversial now-former chief was vowing to fight back the same day DeSantis made his announcement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed in his inaugural address that making water quality a priority in Florida isn't just the smart thing to do, it’s the right thing to do. I absolutely agree with him. I believe the governor has the best of intentions.