Back in 2013, Governor Rick Scott made one of the biggest political reversals of his career. Fiercely anti-Obamacare, he announced that he’d agree to a deal to expand Medicaid in Florida as long as the federal Government footed the bill. “A few months ago, my mother passed away, and I…
Susan Maurer began working as an abortion clinician 40 years ago at a Philadelphia hospital. For the past 22 years, she’s helped South Florida women through what might be an agonizing moment. The soft-spoken 63-year-old nurse administers anesthesia and assists doctors. At one point way back when, she recalls, abortions…
Just over a year ago, Carlos Lopez-Cantera was Miami-Dade’s property appraiser — not exactly a low-profile gig in a town built on real estate, but also hardly a launching pad for big-time political careers. However, Lopez-Cantera looks ready to make a Marco Rubio-esque leap from small-time South Florida politics onto…
Rep. Ron DeSantis has only been up in elected office for two and a half years, but the Sophomore congressmen from Jacksonville has decided he’s ready for the next step up. Today, DeSantis announced his campaign for the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Marco Rubio, and becomes the…
If not for the Spanish-speaking 60-somethings lounging about, the room could pass for the lobby of a Ramada Inn: flat-screen TV set on one wall, nature art adorning another, plush furniture arranged throughout. But it’s no hotel. The newly renovated apartment building in Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood is actually a publicly…
If the Democratic establishment has it their way, actual Florida Democratic primary voters won’t get much of a choice as to who their nominee is. Rep. Patrick Murphy, a former registered Republican and Florida’s most conservative House Democrat, announced his candidacy for Marco Rubio’s soon-to-be-abandoned Senate seat back in March, and…
The rivalry between Miami and Tampa’s Cuban American populations isn’t just about who makes the truest Cuban sandwich. The idealogical differences between the two city’s approach to Havana has never been more apparent now that the Obama administration has begun to normalize relations with the county; a divide explored in…
Despite being one of the larger states by population and an important swing state in national election, Florida doesn’t have much of a history of churning out serious Presidential candidates. Senator Bob Graham was believed to be on Al Gore’s VP shortlist in 2000, and then had an ill-fated presidential…
You probably thought that the Florida House was done embarrassing itself for the year. After all, House Republicans grabbed their ball and went home on Tuesday, canceling the rest of the session rather than dealing with an impasse with the Senate over Medicare. But it’s never wise to underestimate Florida…
Revenge porn may finally become illegal in Florida. The Florida Senate passed a new anti-revenge porn law, and its now headed to the desk of Governor Rick Scott. Though, the final bill is quite limited compared to what the bill sponsor’s originally envisioned. The bill has passed in the Senate,…
This past March 3, local officials gathered to celebrate the opening of a 34-unit affordable-housing apartment complex in the leafy, middle-class Miami neighborhood of Shenandoah. County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro and Cuban radio personality Martha Flores snipped the red ribbon. “A lot of families are going to be happy here,” Miami…
We elect our state legislators to do one thing: go up to Tallahassee for a few months every year to make laws. The Republican leaders of the Florida House announced today that they have no more interest in doing that right now. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, abruptly adjourned the…
One of the odder recent sagas in local politics has come to an end. Michael Pizzi is now back in as the official Mayor of Miami Lakes after more than a year and a half absence. Wayne Slaton, the man who held the seat during Pizzi’s legal hiatus, announced today…
In the weeks since announcing his presidential run, Marco Rubio has seemingly been softening his stance on gay marriage. He told Face the Nation last week that he doesn’t believe being gay is a choice for most people and earlier told Fusion’s Jorge Ramos that yeah, he’d attend a gay…
Michael Pizzi is now one step closer to regaining his position as mayor Miami Lakes. A three judge panel of the The 3rd District Court of Appeal ruled today that Pizzi should legally be restored to the office. The town of Miami Lakes now has five days to appeal the decision…
For months, Miami Beach developer Michael Simkins has been buying up properties around Overtown, tearing down apartment buildings and — in some cases — sparking resident’s fury to the point that his construction equipment was set on fire earlier this year. But Simkins’ exact plans for those sites hasn’t been…
Early last week, Mayor Philip Levine dropped a bombshell on the city commission. “We all know what’s going on on Ocean Drive,” he said. “It’s turning into a Bourbon Street. It’s turning into a terrible place that’s become a blight, a cancer that spreads to our entire city.” Luckily, Levine…
Apparently Hillary Clinton won’t be able to count on the same support in Miami she had in 2008. Back then sitting Mayor of Miami Manny Diaz emerged as one of Clinton’s stronger supporters and local surrogates. He appeared with Hillary at numerous primary campaign stops across Florida. Clinton may seem…
Marco Rubio has apparently caught up to science, psychology and common sense this weekend, and bravely affirmed his belief that he doesn’t think someone’s sexual orientation is a choice. “Sexual preferences are a choice for the vast and enormous majority of people. In fact, the bottom line is, I believe…
Hillary Clinton was doing pretty good in Florida before she actually officially announced her race. Most polls showed her ahead of local boys and possible Republican opponents Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, but in the week since Clinton announced her candidacy a day before Rubio’s her momentum hasn’t exactly swelled…
Ocean Drive could be about to see last call. At yesterday’s Miami Beach city commission meeting, mayor Philip Levine proposed banning outdoor alcohol sales throughout the city after 2 a.m — meaning no more late night $40 margarita bowls and $19 mixed drinks at bustling sidewalk restaurants or outdoor bars…
The staccato synths and back beat thundered through the Freedom Tower just after Marco Rubio wrapped up his big speech on Monday announcing that he’s joining the race for the White House. Staffers and supporters cheered and danced as the familiar lyrics blasted out: “We belong to something, we belong…
