Whoever wins the nominations, the most successful campaigns of 2016 provide us with a clear picture of where the center of gravity is today in both parties and, hence, where America is going.
After 10 Glorious Years, Sunshine State News and I Are Passing the Baton
You probably can't imagine how much fun I've had at Sunshine State News over the last 10 years. I don't think anybody could.
November 1, 2019 - 6:00am
Politics
Columns
This winter has brought extraordinary amounts of rainfall to South Florida. In response, the South Florida Water Management District has taken extraordinary actions to fulfill its mission of providing flood protection for residents and businesses within the 16 counties the agency serves.
Residents of the Granite State like to insist, “Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents.” But Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Barack Obama won in Iowa even as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton stumbled in the Hawkeye State and still sat in the Oval Office.
There is more confusion about Social Security today than ever before. We hear contradictory claims from individuals, organizations and government, and nobody knows who to believe.
Public schools only have one job: prepare students for college or a career.
Of all the many things said about Donald Trump, what was said by Roger Ailes, head of the Fox News Channel, said it all in just two words: "Grow up!"
It's not exactly hush-hush. But neither does anybody want to talk on the record. Nevertheless, here it is: A new comprehensive gaming bill pushed by a consortium of gaming industry operatives is apparently close to being filed in the Florida Legislature.
Charlie Crist once had Pinellas County in the palm of his hand. Didn't matter what party label he wore or what office he was pursuing, the man with the tan and a quick smile was always the beloved homeboy you knew would win St. Petersburg. Charlie plain owned the place.
For the first time in six Republican presidential debates, Donald Trump wasn't on stage, standing at the center podium. Perhaps surprisingly, on Thursday night at the FOX News-Google-hosted event, the GOP frontrunner was infrequently mentioned and easily forgotten.
Just a couple of weeks after CNN happily acquiesced to a quickly improvised "town hall" meeting for President Obama to promote gun control, they once again agreed with the Democrats to provide a "town hall" event with Iowa voters. It was not a debate, where the candidates would spar, but an orderly event to allow all three candidates to promote themselves for a half-hour.
Trending Now
By Kevin Derby
Gov. Rick Scott is keeping Ken Lawson as secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
I am proud to announce the reappointment of Ken Lawson as secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Scott said on Tuesday. Ken has worked every day to streamline the permitting process and reduce burdensome regulations. Under his leadership at DBPR, we have cut professional license wait times from 41 days to an average of two days. Ken has played an integral role in creating a business climate conducive to growth and expansion."
By Kevin Derby
Gov. Rick Scott announced on Tuesday that juvenile arrests continued to drop in Florida, with a reduction of 8 percent in 2013-14. A new report from the state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has found a 36 percent decline in juvenile arrests in the last five years, leading to the lowest juvenile arrest level in more than 30 years..
By Kevin Derby
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Monday that her office has asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of a federal decision which would allow same-sex marriage in the Sunshine State. Under the current decision, the amendment to the Florida Constitution recognizing only traditional marriage approved by voters at the ballot box in 2008 will come to an end on Jan. 5.
By Kevin Derby
The Revenue Estimating Conference released a report on Monday showing Floridas general revenue is up $296 million while next year the general revenue will be almost $332 million higher than expected forecasts.
Gov. Rick Scott said the increased revenue shows Floridas economy is coming back strong.
By Kevin Derby
Gov. Rick Scott said on Monday that Dr. John Armstrong will stay on in his administration as Florida surgeon general and secretary of the Florida Department of Health (DOH).
By Kevin Derby
Former Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) Chairman Lenny Curry announced on Monday that he had reeled in the support of three members of the Florida Cabinet as he runs against Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, the first Democrat to hold that post since former Mayor Ed Austin in the early 1990s. State Attorney General Pam Bondi, Floridas CFO Jeff Atwater and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said on Monday they were backing Curry.
By Kevin Derby
As the Democrats ready to cede control of the U.S. Senate to Republicans in the coming weeks, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., now in the middle of his third term, will rank as one of the senior Democrats in the chamber.
By Kevin Derby
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a possible contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, announced on Friday that he would take up U.S. Rep. Ted Yohos, R-Fla., Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act in the Senate. Yohos bill to prevent President Barack Obama from using an executive order to allow illegals a path to stay in the nation passed the U.S. House earlier this month.
By Kevin Derby
The U.S. House voted to pass the $1.1. trillion omnibus federal spending bill on Thursday by a narrow margin, 219-206, with the Florida delegation breaking along unusual lines.
By Kevin Derby
With the U.S. House passing sanctions, including freezing assets, on the Venezuelan leadership on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott urged President Barack Obama to back the measure now that its headed to his desk.
Live streaming of WBOB Talk Radio, a Sunshine State News Radio Partner.