Public Affairs

Manley Fuller, who has led the Florida Wildlife Federation since the 1980s, is leaving his post effective Feb. 1. Fuller, a North Carolina native, says he is returning to his home state to become vice president of conservation policy for the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

With the new year now upon us, even regular visitors to the Capitol might need some help learning all the new names in key positions. From the governor to Cabinet members, legislative leaders, freshmen lawmakers to key staff members, 2019 has reshaped the face of state government in Florida.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has identified the top 10 most pressing issues legislatures will deal with this year, the majority of which will be hot topics over the next few months in Tallahassee.

The Florida Transportation Builders Association (FTBA) bids a fond farewell to its president, Bob Burleson. During FTBA’s August convention, members from around the state shared their memories and best wishes through a series of video messages, highlighting Bob’s accomplishments, honoring him for his three decades of service, and wishing him a happy retirement.

With cooler temperatures and the holiday season upon us, the official end of hurricane season has finally arrived.

Joshua Quick became a prominent name throughout the Tallahassee community after the FSU law student stood up to a man who opened fire at a hot yoga studio in November. Quick demonstrated incredible bravery by defending other people from the shooter, and he is responsible for preventing further harm from occurring.

As former Florida Gov. Reubin Askew said, “They don’t have schools for a governor, so I’m learning the hard way as I go along.”

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.