Public Affairs

In the March 1980 Republican primaries, George Bush had already lost what he called his “Big Mo” to Ronald Reagan. He bounded off his campaign plane in conservative Augusta, Georgia, for another obligatory meeting with local reporters.

With the midterm elections now over, one might ask what is next? Well, the fallout from this election will take some time to play out, of course, on the state and national level. In the capital city of Florida, we now begin the process of a transitioning to a new governor for the first time in eight years.

Hurricane Michael tore through the Florida Panhandle, leaving entire communities in shambles. There is much to be done to help the recovery process, and there is no shortage of ways for you to help.

Elected leaders across the state mourned the loss of trailblazing state Sen. Dorothy Hukill. Her courageous battle with cancer prevented her from traveling to Tallahassee during the 2017 legislative session. However, it never stopped her from representing constituents during treatment and connecting with phone calls and social media.

Marsy’s Law for Florida, the organization advocating for crime victims’ rights through Amendment 6, recently named four top state leaders from both sides of the political aisle as state chairmen of the bipartisan campaign to pass Amendment 6.

There was a time when political debates allowed voters an opportunity to learn a candidate’s position on issues, their vision for the future and how they would govern if elected. From local city council races to presidential contests, banter ranges from thoughtful dialogue at best to outrageous attacks at worst. Either way, they’re not to be missed.

The Florida Chamber’s annual Future of Florida Forum once again brought together leaders and activists from across Florida to discuss innovative ideas to help prepare the Sunshine State for a more powerful economic future.

Fall is officially here in northern Florida (notwithstanding the warm weather outside), and despite the change of seasons, Hurricane Florence and the devastation it caused in the Carolinas is a vivid reminder that hurricane season is not over.

Heading toward the Nov. 6 general elections, voters will be bombarded with messages for, and against, those who have offered themselves up for public service. Here’s who will run statewide:

Congress recently voted to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Had they let it expire, real estate transactions requiring flood insurance across the country would have come to a halt because NFIP’s heavily subsidized policies have made it difficult for private flood insurers to compete. But in Florida, our flood insurance regulations could soon be a model to the nation.

CBS’ Steve Hartman goes On the Road with Kayla McKeon, Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome.

New bills have been introduced in Congress to find a dedicated funding solution for the $11.6 billion maintenance backlog in the National Park Service. Florida’s 11 parks contributed $904 million in economic output last year but need $262 million for repairs and deferred maintenance.

The buzz around the 2018 midterm elections started soon after the 2016 elections ended. Well, now it’s August 2018, and the talking is about to stop, and the voting is about to begin.

Students at Florida State University are making history, with a four-year graduation rate of 68.4 percent. This is the top rate among all Florida public universities, not just for 2018, but the best of all time within the State University System. Florida State now ranks among the top 15 public schools nationwide for graduation rate.

It’s time to register to vote if you have not already done so. July 30 is the last day Florida voters can register if they want to vote in the primary election.

If you’re looking for neutral, nonpartisan information about the cost of your state and local governments, there’s a newly updated resource from Florida TaxWatch that is available online.

At its outset, the Constitution was valued more as a tool than an object for citizens. Occasionally the “Federalist Papers” strike a tone of near apology; they defend the Constitution as necessary if undesirable in some regards.

By now, you are familiar with many of the candidates for governor. The advertisements started months ago. Now, a wild card has thrown his hat in the ring. Jeff Greene is a Democrat who has the potential to reshape the primary race on that side of the aisle.

The Supreme Court of the United States, referred to as SCOTUS, consists of one chief justice and eight associate justices. With Justice Anthony Kennedy announcing his retirement effective July 31, 2018, President Trump will now nominate his replacement, to be confirmed by the Senate.

Traditionally for 4th of July, I quote Thomas Jefferson in this space. Given our nation’s hardening polarization, I thought it more appropriate this year to quote Abraham Lincoln.

For those of us who follow politics, campaigns and causes, this is the most wonderful time of the year. This week, state and local candidates are filing their paperwork with Florida’s Division of Elections to officially qualify for their declared contest.

This weekend, at the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Florida State Convention, I have the honor of speaking to the brave men and women who’ve served our country.

As we approach the midway point of another year, Florida’s capital city and state policy leaders have already seen unexpected issues arise that required swift legislative action.

Get ready for more solar power in Florida. Announced earlier this month, the Florida Municipal Solar Project will be one of the largest municipal solar projects in the nation.

Florida Senate President Joe Negron recently announced his decision to resign early and not complete his final two years in office.

The 2018 Best High Schools were announced this month, utilizing criteria based on the number of gold and silver medals received in schools across the country. Medals are awarded for student achievement on statewide tests, graduation rates, college preparation and passing scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests.

You probably aren’t ready to hear this, but hurricane season is already upon us, and the time to get prepared is now.

With the Memorial Day weekend kickoff of summer approaching, we continue to be reminded of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Volunteer Florida recently announced Betty Mulligan as the 2018 Florida Volunteer of the Year. After 35 years of teaching, Betty has dedicated her retirement to developing a free tutoring program in Martin County, allowing students to expand their vocabularies and improve their reading comprehension skills.

In November, Florida residents will have the chance to vote on 13 constitutional amendments – eight proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission.