The speech to open the 2017 legislative session came just two days before the House is expected to take up legislation that would abolish the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida and restrict tourism-marketer Visit Florida.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Tuesday Briefing: Elections in Flagler Beach and Bunnell, Palm Coast “Radio,” State of the State, Driverless Cars
Two seats in Flagler Beach, two seats in Bunell up in this election featuring three candidates in each contest, Palm Coast will re-discuss the Milissa Holland radio show with a new proposal, Rick Scott does State of the State, the school board holds an epic workshop.
Felons Seeking to Regain Right To Vote Look to Constitutional Amendment
The constitutional change, if approved, could open up voting rights for more than 700,000 Floridians, although fewer than 300,000 could be expected to apply, at least initially.
Monday Briefing: Tourism Tax Increase, Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulation, Felon Voting Rights, Dred Scott at 160
The county commission considers raising the county’s tourism tax from 4 to 5 percent, the Supreme Court reviews the proposed ballot wording of a constitutional amendment that would restore voting rights to felons who complete their sentence,
Rideshare South: Why Way Fewer Teens Are Bothering With a Driver’s License
The drop has been sharpest in the South, where the share of high school seniors with a driver’s license fell from 88.6 percent in 1996 to 71.2 percent in 2015.
Gov. Scott Names Political Loyalists To Constitutional Revision Commission
Scott’s selections included a number of Republican political allies, including influential insurance lobbyist Fred Karlinsky, a major Scott political fundraiser, and Brecht Heuchan, a key player with the governor’s “Let’s Get to Work” political committee.
Florida Supreme Court Upholds Ban On Openly Carrying Guns in 4-2 Ruling
Justices, in a 4-2 ruling, said the state law “regulates only one manner of bearing arms and does not impair the exercise of the fundamental right to bear arms.”
Weekend Briefing: Job Fair, 1st Amendment Vigil, Flagler Reads History, Haw Creek Paddle, Walk for Food
FPC’s Walk for Food on Saturday, First Amendment Vigil in Daytona Saturday evening, Flagler Centennial events from Sisco Deen on the county’s history to a kayaking trip, Florida’s anniversary, much more.
Florida’s Fractured Republican Leaders Heading Into Contentious Legislative Session
A philosophical schism is plaguing a fractured Republican Party leading up to what insiders characterize as potentially one of the most contentious legislative sessions in modern history.
Thursday Briefing: Flagler’s New Website, Thai By Thai Returns, Dr. Seuss Night, Lambert Avenue Drainage, King Kong
It’s Dr. Seuss Night at Rymfire and Wadsworth Elementaries, on Dr. Seuss’s 113th anniversary, Thai by Thai welcomes the diners’ club, Flagler Beach’s Lambert Avenue residents get a drainage presentation.
Guns at Florida Airports, Colleges, Government Buildings: House Speaker Says “Let’s Try It”
Some 39 bills, resolutions and resolution-like memorials have been filed in the Legislature so far that include language that would make gun possession and carrying more permissive in Florida.
Don’t Fall For False Tone of Moderation in Trump’s Fact-Challenged Speech to Congress
Some pundits and lawmakers applauded Trump for this “presidential” moment. Tone aside, however, the substance of the speech doesn’t diverge from Trump’s radical nationalist extremism, argues Peter Certo.
Wednesday Briefing: Thrive, Beer Day, Facts, Ethics, Maya Angelou, Disney’s “Exclusively Gay Moment”
A relatively quiet day in Flagler but it’s Beer Day in Iceland, the trouble dogmatic beliefs, and how Disney’s new version of Beauty and the Beast explores sexuality.
From Pot to Guns to Health Care, 10 Big Issues to Watch During 2017 Legislative Session
Florida lawmakers are poised to return to Tallahassee for the March 7 start of the 2017 legislative session, with a series of bills that have divided House and Senate, or the governor and the Legislature.
Tuesday Briefing: Education Foundation Mardi Gras Gala, Palm Coast Progress, Old Kings Musical, Tooth Fairy Day
The Flagler County Education Foundation’s 14th annual Mardi Gras gala at Halifax Plantation, the Palm Coast Council hears Progress Report 2016, Montaigne’s birthday, Cinema Paradiso themes it up.
Legislating Free Speech on Florida’s College Campuses? Not So Fast.
A Legislative committee pondered on proposed legislation called the Campus Free Speech Act. Stanley Kurtz, a conservative academic, told lawmakers the measure would defend the right for people to speak their minds at the state’s universities.
In Victory for Local Governments, FPL Loses Appeal Over Having to Bury Power Lines
The state Supreme Court on Friday turned down an appeal by Florida Power & Light in a case about whether the utility could be required to install underground transmission lines.
Monday Briefing: Holland Park Closed Until May, Bunnell’s Transparency Policies, Stamp and Coin Club, Jarhead
Palm Coast’s weird concept of private property, Bunnell updates its public records and media policies, the Stamp and Coin Club meets, before fake news, there were the tea parties, and recalling the Gulf War.
Should The Poor Be Barred From Buying Junk Food With Food Stamps?
Lawmakers in at least five states, including Florida, introduced bills this year to ask the USDA for permission to ban the purchase of certain kinds of food or drinks, such as candy and soda, with food stamps.
I Am An Enemy Combatant
The media has been the enemy since the earliest days of the Republic. But to be an enemy in America is what all of us at one point or another have been or will be. It is an American responsibility. It’s proof of our beloved American citizenship.
Support for Obamacare Reaches Record, Putting Repeal-Minded Lawmakers In a Bind
Overall support for the health law ticked up to 48 percent in February, the highest point since shortly after it passed in 2010. That was a 5-point increase since the last poll in December.
Weekend Briefing: Sheltering Tree Fund-Raiser, Family Fun Day, Native American Festival, Holland v. Renner II
The annual Native American Festival returns to Princess Place, a fund-raiser for the homeless shelter, the Bridge Building Program hosts a Family Fun Day, plus Mexico Flag Day.
Donald Trump’s New Deputy CIA Director: a Torturer Who Destroyed Evidence
Gina Haspel was deeply involved in the illegal torture of a prisoner at a secret CIA site, and when questions arose about the brutality, demolished 92 tapes that had documented the abuse.
Thursday Briefing: African-American Read-In at BTES, George Hanns Bridge, Emmanuel’s Closet’s Show
Belle Terre Elementary hosts its first annual African-American Read-In to mark Black History Month, George Hanns has himself a bridge at Princess Place, Emma Goldman speaks.
Wednesday Briefing: Closed-Circuit Traffic Cameras, Scenic A1A, Grand Living, Underachievers, Wind Energy
Palm Coast installs closed-circuit traffic cameras, the county’s economic opportunity council cheers for Enterprise Florida, how schools game underachievers, Scenic A1A.
On the Sad Prospect of CFO Jeff Atwater, Rare Government Royalty, Leaving Tallahassee
It’s going to feel strange without Jeff Atwater’s steady hand and keen mind in the Florida Capitol, writes Nancy Smith of a the state’s Chief Financial Officer, who is resigning to take a post at Florida Atlantic University.
Tuesday Briefing: Superintendent Search Committee, Autism Training for Cops, Malcolm X, Teen Suicide’s Decrease
The school board and the Palm Coast city council meet today (separately), the Legislature considers requiring autism training for Florida Department of Law Enforcement cops, how gay marriage lowered teen suicide.
As Gov. Scott Touts Latest Increase in Tourists, Visit Florida Critics Still Pounce on Spending
Visit Florida received $78 million from lawmakers for the current fiscal year that ends June 30. The Sunshine State attracted 112.8 million tourists in 2016. He credited the 5.86 percent increase from the prior year.
Monday Briefing: Schenone Child-Rape Trial, Raising Flagler’s Bed Tax to 5%, Japanese-Americans’ Internment, 75 Years Ago
The County Commission today discusses raising the sales surtax applied to short-term rentals and hotels, to get more revenue for beach restoration; marking the 75th anniversary of an American tragedy.
Sanctuary Cities Brace For Trump Order Targeting Undocumented Immigrants for Deportation
Many cities, counties and college campuses nationwide are pledging to limit cooperation with immigration enforcers in the face of President Trump’s pledge to quickly deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants.
Congress Signals Opposition to Assisted Suicide; Proponents Fear State Laws in Jeopardy
A congressional committee voted to overturn an assisted-suicide measure in Washington, D.C., last week, signalling more willingness in Congress to possibly reverse more liberal state laws.
Protesters, True Patriots
Freedom for the thought we agree with is as cheap as a Facebook click on the like button. Freedom for the thought that we hate is what separate Americans from thuggery.
1st Amendment Trumps 2nd: Court Says Doctors Have Right To Ask About Guns at Home
Major portions of a controversial Florida law restricting physicians and other health-care providers from asking patients about guns is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled.
Weekend Briefing: “Ms. Jackie’s Bus,” Movie Night at Veterans Park, Hot N’ Spicy Festival, Calypso Festival
The Ag Museum’s 7th Hot ‘n Spicy Festival, Movie Night at Flagler Beach’s Veterans Park, “Ms. Jackie’s Bus,” a unique play about adolescent angst, at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, Trump’s embarrassments.
Florida House Moves to End Participation In Federal Refugee Resettlement Program
The bill sponsor acknowledged there is no evidence terrorists have used the refugee program to enter Florida and that the withdrawal wouldn’t halt the federal government from locating refugees in the state.
Thursday Briefing: The Inspired Mic at Europa, Open-Records Exemption for Dismissed Injunctions, Democrats’ Conspiracies
The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s most daring and unpredictable open mic event, is scheduled for its monthly edition at The New Europa, European Village, Democrats are now turning to conspiracy theories.
Lawmakers File Bill to Limits Testing Time in Schools and Speed Up Turnaround on Scores
The proposal would require the state’s language arts and math tests to be administered in the last three weeks of a school year, with the exception of the 3rd-grade reading exam.
Marginal Risk of Strong to Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday Afternoon in Flagler-Palm Coast
The weather center’s simulation of the storm front, issued Tuesday, places the most active parts of the storm above Flagler County at 3 p.m. Wednesday. That can change with subsequent simulations.
Wednesday Briefing: Hammock’s Bay Drive Park Plan, Superintendent Search, Trans Rabbi, Assisted Living on US1
A Flagler County park for the Hammock talked about for decades may be reality: a community meeting is scheduled about it this evening, the school board holds a workshop to sharpen what it’s looking for in a superintendent, Palm Coast considers yet another assisted living development.
Spate of Bills Would Allow Floridians to Carry Guns at Colleges, Airports, Bars, Courthouses, Stadiums
One of the proposals would decriminalize the penalty for people who briefly display a firearm in public, others would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry guns in courthouses, jails and government meetings, among other places.
Tuesday Briefing: Community Center Re-Groundbreaking, Linda Cole Sings Valentine, Local Ethics
The Palm Coast Community Center’s $7.8 million renovation begins with a groundbreaking, Linda Cole performs her Valentine’s Day songs at the public library, local government ethics get another look in Tallahassee.
Monday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s World Concert, Gov. Scott in Flagler Beach, Tattoos Against Abuse
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 350-some students in five ensembles perform music from around the world at the Auditorium, Gov. Scott stops in at a Flagler Beach sandwich shop, a tattoo artist uses her work to combat abuse.
Renner Is Right: Kill Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, Twin Kleptos of Public Troth
Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida are two tax-supported state agencies that act more like slush funds, wasting money behind secretive veils and returns on investment that have never lived up to the promise.
Travel Ban Sham By The Numbers: Trump Is Inventing Refugees’ Threat to National Security
Contrary to President Trump’s factually misleading claims, a rational evaluation of his travel ban indicates its measures would have virtually no effect on improving U.S. national security.
Judge Rules No Discrimination In Bakers’ Refusal to Call Gays “Abomination” on a Cake
A customer had accused an Orlando bakery of religious discrimination when the owners refused to make a cake with the words “Homosexuality is an abomination unto the Lord.”
Weekend Briefing: Love Letters at CRT, Bird Fest, Valentine Dances, and “Almost, Maine”
The school board holds a special meeting to pick a superintendent, City Repertory Theatre features three different casts on three successive representations of “Love Letters,” Bird Fest all weekend in Palm Coast.
Three Ways Forward on Enacting Florida Voters’ Medical Marijuana Mandate
Former Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre, just back from a state conference on medical marijuana, argues how and why to move ahead with consumer- and patient-centered regulation.
Against Counsel: House Panel Backs Term Limits for Supreme Court and Appeals Judges
The proposal would revamp a decades-old system in which Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges do not face term limits — though they are required to go before voters every six years for merit-retention.
Thursday Briefing: Repairing the Pier, Regulating Drones in Flagler Beach, “Almost, Maine,” at FPC
The Flagler Beach Commission will award a bid for pier repairs out of three submissions ranging from $900,000 to $1.2 million, and regulate drones in the city, William Henry Harrison is remembered for his 32 days.
When There Almost Was a Bowling Green Massacre — By a White Supremacist
The case of Richard Schmidt in Bowling Green, Ohio, deserves an important place in any debate about what is real and what is fake, what gets reported on by the news media and what doesn’t.