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Today on Context Florida: U.S. Waters, preserving the Union and if Bill Clinton had resigned

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Today on Context Florida: There’s a surprise coming to Florida property owners at the end of August, says Dan Peterson of The James Madison Institute, one wrapped in the federal government’s signature red tape. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers have positioned themselves to regulate practically every square inch of our state by redefining EPA jurisdiction to regulate water and land through a newly written “Waters of the U.S.” rule under the Clean Water Act…

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Today on Context Florida: innovative charter schools, Donald Trump and Social Security’s birthday

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Today on Context Florida: Jac Wilder VerSteeg writes that charter schools claim to innovate because they are freed from some of the stupid bureaucratic rules that plague traditional public schools. A couple of charter schools in Broward County are taking advantage of a “rule break” in a way the VerSteeg calls truly “innovative.” They don’t have to pay their bills. According to the professional prognosticators: Donald Trump is a carnival barker riding the presidential primary process for an eventual deal that…

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Today on Context Florida: Solar power, Jeb Bush & education and teacher bonuses

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Today on Context Florida: Peter Schorsch loves solar power, nearly everyone does. It is like ice cream with sprinkles, he says. So why are voters not supporting the initiative being pushed by the group known as Floridians for Solar Choice? A recent Mason-Dixon poll showed it failing miserably and to the many people Schorsch spoke with, they are genuinely confused. Only 30 percent said they would vote for it while 45 percent opposed it. How can this be? Who would vote…

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Today on Context Florida: Gun control compromise, national parks and Donald Trump

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Today on Context Florida: Marc Yacht asks if another gun tragedy, such as the recent Lafayette, La., theater shooting will finally lead to change. The two sides, pro-gun and pro-regulation must sit down. Both issues need attention: mental health services and sensible gun policy. Mental health needs are cited by both groups. Perhaps, that’s a good place to begin needed collaboration. Florida’s nine national parks are suffering, Joseph H. Carter says, needing about $190 million in crucial maintenance left unfunded and…

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Today on Context Florida: ‘good’ report bad news, Confederate Christmas and needle-exchange

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Today on Context Florida: When is a “good” job growth report bad news, asks Dan Tilson. When it’s about Florida, and serves both to burnish Gov. Rick Scott’s ginned-up “job creator” status, and further the creation of a new socioeconomic order in the state. The ADP Research Institute June report places Florida second nationally with almost 32,000 new private-sector jobs created. On the face of it, that seems like good news. But strip away the face value of such statistics, and…

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Today on Context Florida: Public services, Alan Grayson & MSNBC and flakka

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Today on Context Florida: We expect state government to provide public goods and services, says Dale Brill. Elected officials bear the burden of deciding which services are offered and setting the tax rates and fees necessary to fund them. A look at Florida’s fragile revenue structure demonstrates the state will struggle to sustain the quality and scope of its current offerings. As the old business saying goes, “You can have your services good, fast or cheap. Pick any two.” Peter Schorsch…

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Today on Context Florida: Innovation, Thomas G. Wenski and Antonin Scalia losing his mind

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Today on Context Florida: Florida’s future depends on innovation, says Dale Brill, to address threats, including rising sea levels, the effect of nitrogen cycles, ocean acidification and more. If solutions to these challenges are to find their genesis in Florida, a commitment to innovation is necessary to fully transition state and local economies that compete for investment capital, skilled workforce and overlapping targeted industries. For Florida to emerge as a vibrant innovation system viewed as globally competitive, increased investments in the…

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