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John Kirtley

Richard Corcoran’s $2 million haul, and what it could mean for the governor’s race

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House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s newly formed political committee raised more 2 million dollars last month. Although the Land O’Lakes Republican has been coy about his political future, with an eye-opening haul like that, it’s hard to argue the Speaker is not at least considering a 2018 gubernatorial run. Included in that $2,060,000 (and change) Watchdog PAC announced raising in June were significant contributions from Norman Braman and from political committees run by Reps. Jose Oliva, Chris Sprowls and Carlos Trujillo. Also cutting some big…

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Teachers union, voucher advocates square-off in Dem primary for SD 11

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The Florida Education Association has put another $25,000 into the political committee chaired by Orlando Democratic Rep. Randolph Bracy, who is running in a four-way primary for the newly redrawn Senate District 11. The “Floridians for Progress” political committee has brought in $55,000 in contributions from the teachers’ union, which accounts for nearly half of its contributions to date. Bracy is leading the pack in fundraising one week out from the primary election, with former Sen. Gary Siplin holding the…

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Today on Context Florida: Testy Cabinet, John Kirtley, Bernie Sanders and kids at the theater

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Today on Context Florida: Peter Schorsch talks about the testy process of choosing a new state Insurance Commissioner. Among the four top statewide officials, no one walked away a winner from last week’s battle. Neither Gov. Rick Scott nor CFO Jeff Atwater got the candidate he wanted, with both settling on the third name Atwater threw out at Friday’s emergency Cabinet meeting, David Altmaier. Interestingly enough, the process was a design that Atwater himself, a former lawmaker and Senate president, once…

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School choice advocate makes compelling case for Tax Credit Scholarships in Tallahassee speech

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

In an impressive display of how to dismantle an opponent’s arguments point by point, school choice advocate John Kirtley this week made a compelling case for Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship program. His argument: The program fits squarely within the state’s overall approach to education, despite critics’ claims that it violates the Florida Constitution. It is a part of, not a distraction from, public education. In addition to being legal, Kirtley noted, the program is smart for all Floridians, by keeping school districts around the state from having to find enough classrooms overnight to…

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Dana Young planning major re-election fundraiser December 2

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

House Republican Majority Leader Dana Young will raise funds for her re-election with a major event December 2 in Tampa. Cabinet members Jeff Atwater, Pam Bondi and Adam Putnam, as well as House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran headline the invitation for Young’s fundraiser at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. Honorary hosts include state Senators Jeff Brandes and Tom Lee, several state representatives, and Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee. Other notables on the host committee are Louis Betz, Justin…

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