Florida Politics

[phkrause]

Florida golf-park plan implodes. DeSantis on defense. Time to investigate | Commentary

Plans by the Ron DeSantis administration to put golf courses and a hotel into one of Florida’s state parks appear to have suffered a fast and fatal blow.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/27/florida-golf-park-plan-implodes-desantis-on-defense-time-to-investigate-commentary/?

State parks plan was ‘half-baked,’ DeSantis says. It’ll go ‘back to the drawing board.’

Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the controversial state parks proposal Wednesday, saying the state is “going to go back and basically listen to folks. A lot of that stuff was just half-baked and it was not ready for prime time.”

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/28/desantis-says-plan-for-state-parks-was-just-half-baked-and-not-ready-for-prime-time/?

[phkrause]

Money from hemp industry flowed into Florida GOP coffers after veto, frantic group chat effort

The Republican Party of Florida is at least $1.7 million dollars richer thanks to a frantic fundraising effort from hemp companies days after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have effectively killed the industry, new finance reports show.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/29/money-from-hemp-industry-flowed-into-florida-gop-coffers-after-veto-frantic-group-chat-effort/?

[phkrause]

Is DeSantis losing his grip on Florida?

Days into an ever-evolving saga over the fate of Florida’s parks, Gov. Ron DeSantis had a revolt on his hands.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/29/is-desantis-losing-his-grip-on-florida/?

[phkrause]

Rep. Amesty indicted after state ignores multiple red flags | Commentary

Readers often ask why Florida politicians do so many sketchy things.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/30/rep-amesty-indicted-after-state-ignores-multiple-red-flags-commentary/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis shirks blame, but he’s the problem in Florida government

Everything Ron DeSantis touches dies.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/02/desantis-shirks-blame-but-hes-the-problem-in-florida-government/?

[phkrause]

Whistleblower who warned of Florida park plan fired by state

James Gaddis had just returned home Saturday afternoon when he found a dismissal letter waiting on his townhouse’s doorstep.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/09/03/whistleblower-who-warned-of-florida-park-plan-fired-by-state/?

ps:Of course he was!!

[phkrause]

DeSantis tramples Florida unions rights even as labor’s power explodes elsewhere

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a man of the people, a vocal champion in defense of labor unions. And he cares deeply about bread-and-butter issues and promoting workers’ rights.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/06/desantis-tramples-florida-unions-rights-even-as-labors-power-explodes-elsewhere/?

State agency wades into political battle over FL’s abortion-rights amendment

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration launched a webpage Thursday bashing the proposed state constitutional amendment to restore abortion access beyond six weeks, prompting Florida Democrats to call out the use of state funds against the measure.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/05/state-agency-wades-into-political-battle-over-fls-abortion-rights-amendment/?

PSC workshop kicks off discussion about adding nuclear power to FL’s energy portfolio

Could an increase in nuclear power generation be a part of Florida’s energy future?

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/05/psc-workshop-kicks-off-discussion-about-adding-nuclear-power-to-fls-energy-portfolio/?

[phkrause]

State agency puts $100 million in reserves meant for kids’ health insurance program

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration is putting $100.7 million in reserves because the state overestimated the number of kids who would receive health insurance through a program meant for low-income families.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/06/state-agency-puts-100-million-in-reserves-meant-for-kids-health-insurance-program/?

DeSantis claims state is finding ‘fraud’ in Amendment 4 petitions

State election investigators are targeting a group suspected of submitting bogus petitions to help get an abortion rights measure on the November ballot, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday, confirming a probe that has sparked outrage from Democrats.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/09/09/desantis-claims-state-is-finding-fraud-in-amendment-4-petitions/?

GOP, Dem candidates unite to claim conspiracy in Orange-Osceola State Attorney race

In another odd turn in an increasingly bizarre Orange Osceola State Attorney’s race, Democratic candidate Monique Worrell and former GOP hopeful Thomas Feiter stood side-by-side Monday to call for a federal investigation into a purported conspiracy to boost a non-party-affiliated candidate for the post.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/09/09/gop-dem-candidates-unite-to-claim-conspiracy-in-orange-osceola-state-attorney-race/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis allies plot another state attorney scheme | Commentary

The scandal unfolding in the state attorney’s race — where Florida Republicans helped a GOP candidate win the primary, only to have that candidate drop out of the race after winning the nomination — obviously stinks.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/09/10/desantis-state-attorney-worrell-bain-hyman-feiter-maxwell/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis again laments GOP members who are not publicly opposing Amendment 4

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is again expressing dissatisfaction that members of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation have yet to speak out publicly against Amendment 4, the ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/09/16/desantis-again-laments-gop-members-who-are-not-publicly-opposing-amendment-4/?

ps:Of course!!!

[phkrause]

Florida politicians’ climate denial draws destructive response from Helene

I hope you readers all came through the horrors of Hurricane Helene fairly unscathed. At my rickety Craftsman humble-abode in St. Petersburg, we suffered eight or nine brownouts and scores of tree limbs knocked down, but that was it — this time.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/03/florida-politicians-climate-denial-draws-destructive-response-from-helene/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis admin threatens criminal charges for TV stations airing ads he dislikes. Putin would be proud | Commentary

Last week, when Hurricane Milton was pounding on Florida, a story broke that didn’t get much attention … at least not in Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/16/desantis-threatens-arrest-tv-stations-authoritarian-abortion-maxwell/?

New database helps show which Florida politicians are owned by which polluters

This is the closest we can get to requiring them to wear NASCAR jackets listing their corporate sponsors

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/17/new-database-helps-show-which-florida-politicians-are-owned-by-which-polluters/?

ps:Unbelievable!!

Republican fixtures stump for Harris

Former President Donald Trump’s character flaws have inspired two figures with deep roots in Florida’s Republican Party to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. 

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/16/republican-fixtures-stump-for-harris/?

[phkrause]

Another conviction in Florida’s ghost candidate scandal, but the senators who benefited remain in office | Commentary

Two weeks ago, when most of Florida was focused on a hurricane, something big happened in a Miami courtroom. Jurors put another nail in the coffin of the schemers and scammers involved in Florida’s 2020 “ghost candidate” scandal.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/18/artiles-ghost-candidate-conviction-brodeur-ileana-garcia-maxwell/?

‘It’s the First Amendment, stupid.’ Abortion rights supporters praise judge’s harsh words for DeSantis administration

A federal judge rebuked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration for threatening television stations with criminal charges if they didn’t stop showing ads favoring an abortion rights measure, and supporters of that ballot amendment cheered his ruling Friday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/18/its-the-first-amendment-stupid-abortion-rights-supporters-praise-judges-harsh-words-for-desantis-administration/?

[phkrause]

Abortion doctor fights to keep license as DeSantis administration pushes for revocation

The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to punish a doctor who violated the state’s 24-hour rule on abortion by stripping away her medical license.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/21/abortion-doctor-fights-to-keep-license-as-desantis-administration-pushes-for-revocation/?

Tampa woman in abortion-rights ad speaks out about DeSantis administration’s threat

Caroline, the Tampa woman featured in the pro-abortion ad the DeSantis administration tried to force off the air, found out about the state’s threats to broadcasters over the ad as she prepared to evacuate because of Hurricane Milton.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/18/tampa-woman-in-abortion-rights-speaks-out-about-desantis-administrations-threat/?

Is DeSantis at risk of losing ground with Florida Republicans? What would a Trump win mean?

Once hailed by Florida Republicans as a potential contender for the 2024 presidential election, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a dominant force in state politics.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/10/19/is-desantis-at-risk-of-losing-ground-with-florida-republicans-what-would-a-trump-win-mean/?

[phkrause]

DeSantis lawyers wrote threatening letters to TV stations, former health department attorney says

TALLAHASSEE —  Lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote letters threatening legal action against TV stations running ads promoting an abortion rights ballot initiative — and then forced the chief lawyer for the Florida Department of Health to send them, according to newly filed court documents.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/21/desantis-lawyers-wrote-threatening-letters-to-tv-stations-former-health-department-attorney-says/?

With early voting underway, DeSantis targets abortion rights amendment in statewide tour

WINTER GARDEN — Gov. Ron DeSantis ramped up his all-out onslaught Tuesday against Florida’s abortion rights ballot initiative, bringing a statewide tour to Central Florida with early voting underway and a new poll showing Amendment 4 passing by a razor-thin margin.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/22/with-early-voting-underway-desantis-targets-abortion-rights-amendment-in-statewide-tour/?

[phkrause]

Endorsement: DeSantis treats Florida’s judiciary like his personal toybox. Voters, smack his hands

Remember how much fun it was to get a new case for your dolls, craft supplies or toy cars? You’d look at it, all clean and empty, and imagine it stocked with your favorite things.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/24/endorsement-desantis-treats-floridas-judiciary-like-his-personal-toybox-voters-smack-his-hands/?

[phkrause]

Judge dismisses Worrell lawsuit over her 2023 suspension by DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE — Three days after Monique Worrell won back her job at the ballot box, a federal judge Friday rejected a lawsuit over Gov. Ron DeSantis’ controversial 2023 decision to suspend her as state attorney in Orange and Osceola counties.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/08/judge-dismisses-worrell-lawsuit-over-her-2023-suspension-by-desantis/?

[phkrause]

Florida lawmakers, activists weigh in on promised ‘mass deportations’ under Trump

Floridians of all political stripes are gearing up for what President-elect Donald Trump has promised will be the largest deportation effort in American history when he returns to the White House in January.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/11/22/florida-lawmakers-activists-weigh-in-on-promised-mass-deportations-under-trump/?

[phkrause]

Open carry gun law sputters in Florida Legislature, despite backing from DeSantis

Wrapping up a recent radio interview, Gov. Ron DeSantis hinted that Florida may soon loosen its gun laws even further, allowing for the open carrying of firearms in public places.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/11/29/open-carry-gun-law-sputters-in-florida-legislature-despite-backing-from-desantis/?

[phkrause]

Thanks but no thanks: State turns down Florida KidCare waiver approval

Florida isn’t accepting the Biden administration’s terms and conditions necessary for its Florida KidCare waiver approval.

https://floridaphoenix.com/briefs/thanks-but-no-thanks-state-turns-down-florida-kidcare-waiver-approval/?

[phkrause]

Medical board rebuffs DeSantis administration’s push to revoke abortion doc’s medical license

Members of the state’s medical regulatory board have rejected a push by the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis to revoke a doctor’s medical license for providing 193 abortions, mostly medicinal, without adhering to a 24-hour waiting period requirement.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/12/09/medical-board-rebuffs-desantis-administrations-push-to-revoke-abortion-docs-medical-license/?

[phkrause]

Editorial: Slowly sinking coastal condos warn of Florida’s peril

Florida has a long history of unwarranted optimism when it comes to coastal building risk.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/29/slowly-sinking-condos-warn-of-coastal-peril-editorial/?

[phkrause]

Florida was to expand children’s health insurance. Instead, it’s been kicking kids off its rolls

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Erin Booth’s five-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. She and her husband qualified for Medicaid under a program enacted during the health crisis and that federal insurance provided Landon all the medical treatment and therapy he needed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/12/30/florida-was-to-expand-childrens-health-insurance-instead-its-been-kicking-kids-off-its-rolls/?

[phkrause]

As Florida colleges change protest rules, some see voices stifled

TAMPA — On the first day of the fall semester, a group of protesters clustered inside the Marshall Student Center, holding signs calling on the University of South Florida to divest its funds from companies that support Israel.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/01/03/as-florida-colleges-change-protest-rules-some-see-voices-stifled/?

[phkrause]

Democrats pleased, but state Republicans keeping mum on Biden’s oil drilling ban

Florida Democrats are hailing President Joe Biden’s announcement on Monday that he will permanently ban future offshore oil and gas drilling off of Florida’s Gulf Coast, a long contentious issue that has traditionally bound members of both political parties from the state in opposition.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/01/06/democrats-pleased-but-state-republicans-keeping-mum-on-bidens-oil-drilling-ban/?