Capitol View

Today we honor Florida’s former Speaker of the House, Donald L. Tucker – first elected in 1966 representing Leon, Franklin and Wakulla counties, reelected five times, and the only Speaker of the Florida House to serve two consecutive terms.

In even numbered years, the Florida Legislature convenes in January for 60 days, with odd numbered years gathering in March, to conduct its annual business of lawmaking and budgeting. Legislators traditionally set aside time during the four months preceding the session’s start to prepare during interim committee weeks.

Hurricane Dorian continues to move up Florida’s east coast toward Georgia and South Carolina shorelines. The Bahamas received Category 5 winds Labor Day weekend with five deaths reported and millions in damages.

Despite the warm temperatures, summer is coming to an end. It’s time to get prepared for the arrival of fall. Here’s what to lookout for:

Nine years ago this month, U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon M. King lost his life defending his country in Afghanistan.

Here we are again – we’ve heard it before. Florida, Florida, Florida. In the span of two weeks, we see again that Florida may be the key to winning the White House in 2020.

With Hurricane Michael devastation hitting Northwest Florida with a vengeance, the federal government passed its $19.1 billion disaster aid legislation this month, allowing for much-needed funding to flow toward ravaged regions.

The Tallahassee community and the state lost a legend last week when former Florida State University President Sandy D’Alemberte passed away at the age of 85.

Florida’s 2019 legislative session has concluded, with the only statutorily required bill, the budget, passing out of both chambers on Saturday, May 4. The $91.1 billion budget came together after 60 days of negotiations between House and Senate members.

It’s May 1, legislative session is coming to a close, and summer is around the corner. This should mean a politically slow, non-election-year summer break ahead. Not so fast.

Join me in welcoming our On 3 Public Relations (On3PR) rock stars, who have come aboard the award-winning firm, now celebrating its 11-year anniversary.

Don’t blink, it goes by fast. The legislative session is already half over, with one month until scheduled adjournment. High-profile issues like new rules for smokeable medical marijuana have already received a great deal of action.

The first legislative session of Gov. DeSantis is underway. His first State of the State speech is now behind him. The governor has gotten almost universal praise for his incredibly successful start.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is off to a fast start. Within a month, DeSantis has appointed three new justices to the Florida Supreme Court. One in particular hit home.

Florida’s newly elected governor and Cabinet members are off to an incredible start this month.

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.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? The team here at The Tallahassee 100 answers a resounding “no!” In fact, if it weren’t for our loyal readers, we wouldn’t be celebrating the recent two-year anniversary of our biweekly publication.

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

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.

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:

Football season is upon us. In Tallahassee, it’s the beginning of a new era for college football.

My Chicago born and bred father always dreamed of living in Florida. Prior to our Sunshine State relocation, there is 8 mm proof of summer vacation trips to the most iconic (and random) of attractions, including Six Gun Territory, Cypress Gardens, Weeki Wachee Springs and Tiki Gardens.

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.

On Sunday, June 25, a controlled burn in the city of Eastpoint in Franklin County roared out of control, destroying 36 homes, maybe more. In its aftermath, an estimated 200 displaced residents stayed with families, neighbors, camped out or lived out of their cars.

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.

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.

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.

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

As the nation mourned the passing of one of America’s national treasures, former first lady Barbara Bush wouldn’t have wanted anyone to make a fuss.