Editor’s note: The following is a guest column from editor-at-large Daniel Tilson. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal health reform legislation that introduced groundbreaking new rules of fair play into a profoundly corrupted and costly private health insurance system. Adults and children with histories of serious illness, senior [...]
Tuesday’s slate of elections in the City of Tampa certainly provided a list of winners and losers and I’m not just talking about the candidates. Here is my list of the real winners and losers coming out of Tuesday’s runoff elections (if I am missing someone, email me at saintpeter4@gmail.com). Winners: The City of Tampa: The [...]
The Florida House of Representatives today approved the veto override of House Bills 1207 and 7103. The first measure, House Bill 1207 increases transparency in the elections process by permitting the optional establishment of and setting reporting requirements for Affiliated Party Committees. “Under the current system there is no way for the public or the [...]
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack has scheduled a “major announcement” tomorrow regarding the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Bill Nelson. Mack’s office sent out a media advisory at 1 p.m. today reading, “U.S. Representative Connie Mack (FL-14) will make a major announcement regarding the 2012 race for the United States Senate in Florida [...]
Responding to requests from his budget chairmen, House Speaker Dean Cannon on Thursday added more than $76 million to proposed budgets for public schools, colleges and the courts while maintaining a $2.2 billion reserve fund, reports the News Service of Florida. In a memo to members, the Winter Park Republican said he and House Budget [...]
Gov. Rick Scott signed the teacher merit pay bill on Thursday in Jacksonville, his first signed legislation since becoming governor, reports the News Service of Florida. “We must recruit and retain the best people to make sure every classroom in Florida has a highly effective teacher,” Scott said. The portion of the bill dealing with [...]
The Florida Chamber of Commerce today launched a new weekly public affairs online television program — “The Bottom Line.” The Web-based program, featuring key major figures from Florida’s corridors of power, will be produced weekly and will focus on Florida’s most important current political, legislative and economic issues, according to Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson, [...]
With just over 12 hours left before voting in the first round of TallyMadness ends, more than 5,400 votes have been cast. Keep your eyes on the following first-round match-ups which appear to be going down to the wire. Quad # 1 #7 David Ramba vs. #10 Mike Hightower. #8 Steve Metz vs. #9 Pete [...]
A complete rundown of what’s on tap in the Florida Capital, according to the News Service of Florida, with an additional h/t to the Florida Current and the Florida Morning. TOPPING THE DAY SCOTT TO SIGN MERIT PAY BILL: Gov. Rick Scott will sign the teacher merit pay bill today at a charter school in [...]
The absolute, hands-down best story in today’s Times is about my good friend Siobhan Harley, who became a US citizen just one day after quarterbacking Bob Buckhorn’s campaign to a decisive victory. It was only Wednesday morning, and already Siobhan Harley was having a week unlike any other. Monday night she made a presentation to [...]
