"Scott and his cabinet have retained nearly a dozen lawyers"
"Scott and his cabinet have retained nearly a dozen lawyers charging up to $400 an hour each after being sued by First Amendment groups and news outlets, who contend the four officials violated Florida’s Sunshine law by removing state law enforcement commissioner Gerald Bailey without a public vote." "Taxpayers could foot large legal bill of Scott and 3 Cabinet members over charges they violated state Sunshine law."
MJ Politics
"Republican leaders in Tallahassee aren’t buying the political calculation that they must pass a medical marijuana law now to take the issue off the table during next year’s presidential race." "Medical marijuana backers pitch law as way to help 2016 GOP presidential nominee."
"Never a dull moment in the world of Florida’s education"
"There’s never really a dull moment in the world of Florida’s education. From issues in standardized testing to guns on school campuses, things didn’t slow down in education world at all this week across the Sunshine State." "Testing Glitches, Limits Take Over State Legislature."
"Murky role of political committees"
"'Election law has weak muscles,' said T. Wayne Bailey, a political science professor at Stetson University. 'It places so much responsibility on the public for taking notice and taking action, which is probably an unrealistic expectation.' Moving Tampa Forward’s murky ownership is an example of how little scrutiny these committees receive." "City race highlights murky role of political committees."
"Infuriating Florida's political right"
Nancy Smith: "Since 2010 no one has done a better job of entertaining and/or infuriating Florida's political right with her mouth than U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz." "Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Controversy 'R' Us."
Second amendment stoopid
"An Orlando man allegedly shot himself during a robbery, stole a Mercedes from a strip club and then flagged down a deputy himself, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office." "Orlando man shoots himself during robbery, flags down deputy himself."
"Jeb!" cheerleaders in full-swing
The Miami Herald feels the love: "Amid melting snowbanks and wall-to-wall throngs of reporters at stops in New Hampshire, Jeb Bush — looking at least 30 pounds trimmer than when he was governor — took pointed questions about his views on immigration and the Common Core education standards without a hint of defensive." "Relaxed Jeb Bush brings his A game to New Hampshire."
"The Dean's List"
The Sunshine State News' Ed Dean gives us "'The Dean's List' -- an Ed Dean-style look at who Florida's political achievers were (and weren't) in the last seven days." "The Dean's List."
What's wrong with Polk County?
"Florida lawmaker skeptical carbon dioxide causes global warming."
Herald lauds Rubio's "powerful rhetorical skill" (seriously)
"Like Barack Obama as a candidate, Marco Rubio is a first-term senator who lacks sweeping accomplishments and is known as much as anything for his powerful rhetorical skill. Some Republicans say he lacks the experience to be commander-in-chief." "As Sen. Marco Rubio nears presidential bid, experience question looms."
Weekly Roundup