Now in his second term on Capitol Hill, a congressman from the First Coast is taking over as a co-chairman of the Congressional Deaf Caucus.
This week, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla, stepped up to serve as co-chairman of the caucus, replacing former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kansas, who was defeated last year. Rutherford joins U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., in leading the caucus which was launched back in 2013.
Whether it deserves the distinction or not, the Iowa Caucus has been elevated to something just shy of virtual kingmaker of American politics. In roughly the last 10 elections, 60 percent to 70 percent of the winners in Iowa presidential primaries go on to earn the nomination of their party. Conversely, no one finishing lower than fourth has ever succeeded. Once the Caucus was moved to the start of the year, Iowa became vital to anyone running for the nation's highest office.
Lawmakers are already seeking about $120 million for projects and programs in their local communities, while the latest state revenue estimates have spurred the House budget leader to urge “restraint” as the 2020 legislative session nears.
And based on past sessions, the number of local funding proposals --- sometimes derided by critics as “pork” or “turkeys” --- will soon explode.
A Florida congressman is looking to ensure that unions can’t offer financial incentives to recruit federal employees working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Last week, U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., introduced the “VA Workplace Integrity Act” which, he insists, will help “combat the use of financial incentives to pressure federal employees into joining unions” and protects VA employees “from undue financial manipulation stemming from labor unions.”
As Hurricane Dorian threatened to cause massive damage to Florida’s East Coast in early September, residents --- and electric utilities --- prepared for the worst.
As residents emptied store shelves of supplies or evacuated their communities, utilities lined up thousands of workers to be ready to deal with downed power lines and destroyed equipment.
As it turned out, Florida got lucky. Dorian stayed far enough off the coast that it largely spared the state from damage.
The Blue-Green Algae Task Force appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in January to study ways to prevent or reduce algae blooms spawned by Lake Okeechobee runoff into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers is nearing completion of its first draft of recommendations to lawmakers.
And it’s apparently going to include data referencing “climate change” and “global warming,” words former Gov. Rick Scott forbid from being mentioned in previous state-funded efforts to address blue-green algae and red tide.
The Florida Supreme Court will conduct its mandated review of proposed ballot language in prospective constitutional amendments seeking to impose an “assault weapons” ban and to legalize recreational marijuana on Feb. 4.
Both measures are seeking to qualify for the November 2020 ballot and are among three initiatives being challenged by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
