FLORIDA POLITICS
Since 2002, daily Florida political news and commentary

 

UPDATE: Every morning we review and individually digest Florida political news articles, editorials and punditry. Our sister site, FLA Politics was selected by Campaigns & Elections as one of only ten state blogs in the nation
"every political insider should be reading right now."

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Welcome To Florida Politics

Thanks for visiting. On a semi-daily basis we scan Florida's major daily newspapers for significant Florida political news and punditry. We also review the editorial pages and political columnists/pundits for Florida political commentary. The papers we review include: the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Naples News, Sarasota Herald Tribune, St Pete Times, Tampa Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Tallahassee Democrat, and, occasionally, the Florida Times Union; we also review the political news blogs associated with these newspapers.

For each story, column, article or editorial we deem significant, we post at least the headline and link to the piece; the linked headline always appears in quotes. We quote the headline for two reasons: first, to allow researchers looking for the cited piece to find it (if the link has expired) by searching for the original title/headline via a commercial research service. Second, quotation of the original headline permits readers to appreciate the spin from the original piece, as opposed to our spin.

Not that we don't provide spin; we do, and plenty of it. Our perspective appears in post headlines, the subtitles within the post (in bold), and the excerpts from the linked stories we select to quote; we also occasionally provide other links and commentary about certain stories. While our bias should be immediately apparent to any reader, we nevertheless attempt to link to every article, column or editorial about Florida politics in every major online Florida newspaper.

 

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The Blog for Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Anti-voucher lawsuit tossed on a technicality

    "A challenge to this year's expansion of the state's de facto school-voucher program was thrown out of court for a second time Tuesday, likely ending one of two legal threats to the system."
    Leon County Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis dismissed the lawsuit "with prejudice," which essentially bars the suit from being filed again. The challenge, backed by the Florida Education Association, was seeking to reverse a 2014 law that packed together an expansion of eligibility for the voucher program with several other education measures.

    "In order to sustain standing, the plaintiffs are required to allege sufficient facts to support a finding of special injury," Francis wrote. "As currently pled, the amendment [sic] complaint for declaratory judgment also fails to allege a legally sufficient basis to sustain a finding of special injury and the court is of the opinion that further amendments to the complaint will not result in a legally sufficient complaint."

    Francis rebuffed claims by Faasse and two parents who joined the new lawsuit that the expansion of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program hurt them because it could lead to reduced funding for their schools.

    "Lawsuit Against Voucher Expansion Thrown Out." See also "Judge dismisses voucher expansion suit."


    "What's your problem? I have health insurance"

    The crazies think "Medicaid expansion is bad policy for Florida."


    "Cowgirl" rides into Congress

    "Gwen Graham, the daughter of one of Florida's most famous families, remembers riding her horse near Miami Lakes across open cow pastures that today are jammed with condominiums, stores and restaurants."

    Now the self-described cowgirl with South Florida roots is preparing to ride into Congress, bringing an "independent voice" and calling for new leadership. Graham — who will represent a sprawling district in the Panhandle that covers 14 counties and straddles two time zones — was one of very few bright spots for Democrats this election year.
    "Gwen Graham rides into Congress with 'independent voice'."


    "Cuba move is Florida’s top story"

    "Obama’s Cuba move is Florida’s top story of 2014."


    We doubt the "appreciation" is mutual

    "Scott declares Florida First Responder Appreciation Week." This after state employees - including the states wildfire firefighters (i.e., first responders) - in the past six years have received only one wage increase, together with a cut to total compensation (to help fund an well-funded FRS pension).


    A match made in hell: Walmart and guns

    "Toddler accidentally shoots mom in Walmart."


    Latest lawsuit to block gay marriages names Orlando's mayor as defendant

    "A conservative group on Tuesday sued a county clerk of courts, Orlando’s mayor and a judge in an effort to stop them from helping same-sex couples get married in Florida next week. . . . The conservative group argued the lifting of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage applies to only Washington County in the Panhandle, where the legal challenge originated." "Florida group tries to stop gay marriages." Background: "Dyer agrees to big same-sex wedding at City Hall."


    Privatization follies

    "The VA recently learned of the breach at private contractor KeyPoint Government Solutions Inc., according to the memo, sent by VA Chief of Staff Jose D. Riojas." "Computer breach exposes data from 48,000 federal workers."


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