A majority of Florida voters said they would support legalization of medical marijuana and casino gaming, according to a Survey USA poll conducted earlier this month for News 13 Orlando and Bay News 9 Tampa. The poll numbers were released shortly before Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this week… [read more]
As opposition continues building in counties down the Florida coast between Orlando and Miami, the controversial All Aboard Florida proposal is also getting more scrutiny from media. WFTV Channel 9 Investigates exposed more details about the “casino express” high-speed train project. The excellent report connects a lot of dots and further illustrates… [read more]
Last week’s Orlando Sentinel coverage of SunRail’s opening showed the latest example of corporate influence over Orlando’s only daily print newspaper. It wasn’t major, but it was telling. Edits happened just 17 minutes after publishing their original article detailing SunRail’s opening day under the negative headline “SunRail delays persist on the… [read more]
As SunRail prepares to officially begin service on May 1, many questions around its potential success or failure remain. But one thing is sure, people need to let go of the idea that SunRail is a mega transportation solution or magical fix for Central Florida and Orlando, as Mayors Dyer… [read more]
In Orlando, it pays to be buddies with the mayor. Yesterday, the Orlando City Council passed its latest wave of corporate welfare as they gave away office space in the half billion dollar Amway Center for just $1 a year. That’s right, one dollar a year for rent in one of… [read more]
Texting in politics. What a ridiculous issue to be talking about in Central Florida, especially this close to a major Presidential election. Perhaps texting about it would be more appropriate. We find ourselves caught up in what activists are trying to label “textgate” in Orange County. Citizens for a Greater… [read more]
There is a looming reality that no one in Orange County is talking about in the Earned Sick Time battle. The truth is the people are destined to lose their voice once and for all if a vote is not scheduled immediately. The delays of the County Commission were devious… [read more]
Despite the Orange County Commission’s act of voter suppression this week, the Earned Sick Time fight rages on and a more complete narrative is emerging. The County Commission silenced the voice of 50,000 citizens who signed the petition to place Question 1 on the November ballot by voting essentially to… [read more]
In a blatantly political move, Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson called for a second ballot measure to counter the citizen initiative that was the first to qualify by petition in Orange County history. Commissioner Thompson’s measure would prevent government from regulating employee benefits, such as sick time, and the Commission… [read more]
It’s been six weeks since our obscure April 3 Election Day (yes, it’s over for all of you who missed it) and looking back there are a few key lessons to be learned already. First, big money in politics is ruining politics at every level.