Today on Context Florida:
Peter Schorsch discusses the Florida Senate race, ‘Star Trek’ and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. James T. Kirk somehow manages to win the Kobayashi Maru, an unwinnable test. In 2014, a GOP landslide year and in a seat where Republicans outnumbered Democrats, Murphy didn’t squeak out a victory. He kicked the crap out of his opponent, earning nearly 60 percent of the vote. How did Murphy end up trouncing his GOP opponent in a GOP-leaning seat in a GOP-landslide year? He made damn sure he would face the weakest opponent in the general election.
Funny thing about the “will of the people” in Florida, says Daniel Tilson. Even when expressed via an overwhelming majority “Yes” vote on a constitutional amendment, the Legislature can and does subvert it. That’s what’s happening with the environmental protections and preservations Floridians thought were a done deal after more than 75 percent of voters joined forces to pass Amendment 1 last November. But, um … no, not a done deal.
Bob Sparks points out the odd relationship between climate change and bananas. President Jimmy Carter, hired economics professor Alfred E. Kahn to serve as, for lack of a better term, Inflation Czar. Kahn was instructed not to use the stark term “depression.” He came up with some memorable nomenclature … preaching that failing to bring inflation under control could lead to a … “banana.”
As president and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Julio Fuentes heads the only statewide economic development organization serving the needs of the Hispanic community. Hispanic entrepreneurs and small business owners have long played an important role in the American economy, but as our role in the business community grows so does our voice. Tax reform is one issue where our voice needs to be heard.
