Reporters covering the Florida Legislature learn pretty quickly that much of the legislation is generated by competing business interests.
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
Welcome to The Dean’s List — an Ed Dean-style look at who Florida’s political achievers were (and weren’t) in the last seven days. What you see here is strictly my opinion, not necessarily the editor’s or the rest of the staff at Sunshine State News.
“ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and of the State of Florida…So help me God.”
Just what the governor doesn't need: a reason for lawmakers to blow raspberries at his budget request for Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI).
In the aftermath of Paris and before San Bernardino, Hillary Clinton articulated the forced catechism of the left: "Let's be clear: Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism."
On Thursday, new U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., spoke at the Library of Congress and offered his vision for America.
Rick Scott's critics pummel him plenty for abusing his executive privilege on bragging rights. And it's true, since 2011 our governor's self-promoting press releases have morphed into a kind of waterboard torture for those of us who get to read them daily.
But let's be fair here. There's no getting around the fact that Scott has been a powerful magician for Florida economy good -- which is exactly what most of his press releases are about.
The U.S. House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee held a hearing on “Assessing the President’s Strategy in Afghanistan” on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the chairwoman of the subcommittee, opened the hearing with the following statement:
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Sen. Tim Scott, who evidently has not received the memo explaining that politics is a grim and bitter business, laughs easily and often, as when, during lunch in this city's humming downtown, he explains that South Carolina's Lowcountry is benefiting from what are called "halfbacks."
Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court of the state of Florida is just what I expected because the entire process has been tainted from the very beginning. Beyond a doubt, today’s ruling and the proposed congressional map is a direct attack on minority voters and a clear example of voter retrogression and disenfranchisement. As a response, and in accordance with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, I have filed a federal lawsuit to repeal the proposed congressional map.
Trending Now
By Kevin Derby
With Islamic State (IS) terrorists releasing a video of the beheading of American aid worker Peter Kassig, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for a congressional vote for military action.
The beheading of another American over the weekend further illustrates the savagery of IS, Nelson said on Monday. It shows why the United States and our allies must leave no stone unturned in going after these barbarians. I hope Congress is moved to vote on legislation formally authorizing military action.
By Kevin Derby
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., called on President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate to pass the Keystone XL Pipeline. Rooney insisted Keystone XL was a major issue in the elections earlier this month which saw the GOP flip the Senate.
Building the Keystone pipeline was absolutely on the ballot last week, and the American people sent a clear message its time to build, Rooney said on Friday. Will President Obama and Harry Reid continue to ignore the American people, or will they finally say yes to jobs and energy?
By Kevin Derby
After taking 4 percent in the recent Florida gubernatorial race, Libertarian Adrian Wyllie announced on Monday he will be a lobbyist for the Liberty First Network, planning to work in Tallahassee on issues.
The Liberty First Network and I have been working toward the same goals, and fighting the same legislative battles, so this partnership is a perfect fit, Wyllie said on Monday. Though I may not be governor, the Legislature will still hear our voices, and will be subject to our scrutiny. I am excited to be joining this all-star team of principled and competent people.
By Kevin Derby
Since being elected in 2012, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., ranks as one of the leading congressional champions of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Yoho has even compared it to the transcontinental railroad which connected America after the Civil War. No surprise, then, that Yoho cheered the House for passing the Keystone XL on Friday and urging President Barack Obama and the U.S. Senate to support it.
By Kevin Derby
From his perch as the chairman of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., weighed in on the news that the VA department fired Terry Gerigk Wolf, the Pittsburgh health-care system director who was in charge during the Legionnaires' outbreak back in 2011 and 2012 which impacted 22 veterans, killing six of them. Wolf had been on paid administrative leave since the summer after a VA internal investigation.
By Nancy Smith
Administrative Judge W. David Watkins gave the Department of Health's proposed rules for implementing Florida's new medical marijuana law the heave-ho Friday, calling them an invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority.
Yes, on Jan. 1 doctors can order marijuana in oil form to treat patients for seizure, but none of the five licenses authorized by the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 have been awarded.
By Kevin Derby
Jonathan Gruber is drawing fire from U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., after a video emerged in which he said the lack of transparency and the stupidity of the American voter helped pass President Barack Obamas federla health-care law. DeSantis wants Gruber to return federal monies he received for consulting on the law.
By Nancy Smith
The Heartland Institute has been named a 2014 top-rated nonprofit organization by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.
By Kevin Derby
On Thursday, incoming Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, named Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, as president pro tempore. The Senate will meet next week when Gardiner takes over from current Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin. Richter served as president pro tempore under Gaetz.
By Kevin Derby
Calling himself the true conservative," Palm Coast Republican Travis Hutson is moving his money from his current Florida House accounts to a Florida Senate campaign. Hutson will take on Rep. Doc Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra Beach, in a special primary on Jan. 27 to see who replaces former Sen. John Thrasher in Tallahassee.
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