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Ken Plante

New TaxWatch internship program honors Ken Plante

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Florida TaxWatch says it’s launching a research internship program for college students, who will assist on projects from “taxation and budgets to education and corrections.” The nonprofit watchdog, based in Tallahassee, received a $25,000 contribution from AT&T to pay stipends to those who are accepted into the program. The internships will be named after the late state Sen. Ken Plante, a co-founder and first president of the organization. Plante, a Central Florida Republican, died earlier this year a three-year fight against ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s…

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Ken Plante eulogized for love of his work, dedication to personal principles

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A cry could be heard in the voice of Father Pat O’Neil as he spoke of the love Ken Plante generated in his work in his community and throughout the state of Florida. O’Neil, the director of the Miami Diocese’s Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, celebrated a Mass in Tallahassee Friday for his friend, a former Senate Minority Leader, adviser to a governor, founder of a think tank and a professional association, as well as a prominent lobbyist. Plante…

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Governor orders flags at half-mast to honor Ken Plante

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Gov. Rick Scott ordered U.S. and state flags at the Florida Capitol to fly at half-staff tomorrow, in honor of former State Sen. Ken Plante. Plante passed away March 1 after a three-year battle with ALS. First elected to the Senate from Winter Park in 1967, Plante served until 1978. After leaving the Legislature, he remained active in both the public and private sectors, serving on the 1977-78 Constitutional Revision Commission, and as a founder of both Florida TaxWatch and the…

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The day that was in Florida politics — March 4

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At this pace, Florida’s political class may be exhausted by the end of March when budget writers begin deciding what will be left in and what will be taken out of a $77 billion dollar state spending plan. The state capitol waken Wednesday with word that Gov. Rick Scott had penned a commentary calling on President Barack Obama to work with Florida on some sort of agreement on a Low Income Pool. The $2 billion program reimburses hospitals to treat…

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The Day That Was In Florida Politics – March 2

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Marijuana, gambling and a big party were on the state Capitol agenda Monday, indicating that prohibitionists may find it difficult to be heard during the 2015 Florida legislative session. Session begins Tuesday morning at 9:30 when the Florida House of Representatives convenes but the week began with a hearing on a proposed rule for the marijuana bill lawmakers approved last year. The Office of Compassionate Use Director Patricia Nelson fielded questions and listened to comments for about eight hours on…

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Florence Snyder: In respectful remembrance of Ken Plante

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“Revered lobbyist” is usually an oxymoron, but not when applied to Ken Plante, who died last night of Lou Gehrig’s disease. As the tributes pour in, it is hard to believe there was ever a time when Plante was not beloved of government reformers and their cheerleaders on Florida’s editorial boards. But that’s how it was in 1976, when Plante was the lead plaintiff in a court challenge to Florida’s Sunshine Amendment. The amendment had been championed by Gov. Reubin…

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