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What do we know about Chris King? The Phoenix asked, he answered
With Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum choosing affordable housing executive Chris King for his running mate this week, the pair has been described as the most progressive Democratic ticket in modern history in Florida. But what do voters know about King’s views? He was a candidate competing against Gillum in the primary, and now joins […]
Tallahassee judge strikes three Amendments from Nov. 6 ballot
A Tallahassee judge quickly ruled after a hearing Wednesday to strike three Constitutional Amendments off the Nov. 6 ballot: Amendments 7, 9, and 11. The amendments relate to everything from oil drilling and vaping to certain death benefits and property rights. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner has already appealed the ruling. Harry Lee Anstead […]
Three Constitutional Amendments stricken from the Nov. 6 ballot
Leon Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers knocked Constitutional Amendments 7, 9 and 11 off the Nov. 6 ballot. Attorneys have already filed a notice of appeal. More to come.
FL Supreme Court wrestles with education-related Florida Constitutional Amendment: Should the measure be put back on the November ballot?
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday wrestled with whether voters could understand the language and purpose of a Constitutional amendment that could make monumental changes to the way public schools are created and controlled. It’s a high-stakes decision for public education: Should so-called Amendment 8 be put back on the ballot? And time is of […]
Zika virus is still a health concern, new FL numbers show
People — particularly pregnant women — still need to be vigilant about the mosquito-borne Zika virus that has led to severe birth defects. A News Service of Florida story provided updated numbers from the state Health Department, showing Florida has 66 reported Zika cases this year, up slightly in the past few weeks. The cases […]
Will surge in women running for office lead to big victories in November?
When it was all over in the primary election that edged out Gwen Graham – the only female on the ballot for governor — advocates for women candidates sat around talking about the reasons for the loss. “Is it a women thing? Is it a South Florida thing? (Graham lost big in Broward and Miami-Dade),” […]
Just days after the primary election, a string of endorsements for Andrew Gillum
The large and influential Florida Education Association has thrown its support to Democrat Andrew Gillum for governor in the November election, pointing to his “tireless and fearless” advocacy for public education. Gillum has said he will invest $1-billion into public schools and pump up below-average teacher salaries, among other plans. The AFSCME Florida union for […]
An inside view of Andrew Gillum’s ideas that could reshape Florida
With Tuesday night’s victory by Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum in the headlines – and changing the landscape of politics in the state – the Florida Phoenix today offers an expansive picture of how Gillum could re-shape Florida’s state policies and how those ideas could affect every Floridian. The Phoenix got an inside view of Gillum’s […]
Your graduate’s diploma may not be good enough
Parents from Florida and everywhere else, beware: Your student may be walking down the aisle and getting a diploma, but they may not be ready for college or even entry-level work. Students, depending where they live, may earn different kinds of diplomas, including those that reflect less demanding work, according to a new report by […]
Illinois’ flagship university is launching a free-tuition program. Will top Florida universities be next?
While free college tuition is often connected to community colleges, four-year universities are now joining the bandwagon. In the spring of 2017, New York’s governor signed into law what was described as a “first-in-the-nation” Excelsior program to provide tuition-free college to New York’s public universities, for families earning up to $125,000. Now comes Illinois Commitment, […]
FL Commissioner of Agriculture Race: Democrat Nikki Fried and Republican Matt Caldwell will face off in November
When Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam decided to run for governor, seven candidates jumped in to compete for the open Cabinet post – four Republicans and three Democrats. Two candidates in the group won in Tuesday’s primary: Attorney Nicole “Nikki” Fried easily defeated two other candidates to win the Democratic primary, and State House Rep. […]
Andrew Gillum wins Democratic Primary
Andrew Gillum, the upstart progressive Tallahassee mayor, became the Florida Democratic Party’s nominee for governor Tuesday night, defeating Gwen Graham, the scion of a storied Florida political family. “We can be the David in this situation where there is a Goliath,” Gillum told supporters as he accepted the nomination at a victory party in Tallahassee, […]