Bob McKnight

Readers of my book, The Golden Years of the Florida Legislature, will recall my disclosure of my secret mentor, Republican Senator Jerry Thomas (R. Jupiter). Since I was a Miami Democrat, no one even suspected a political relationship between us. One of the lessons I learned from the Senator was that laws are hard to make. He added that is good. Lawmaking is very serious and the process of making, reviewing or killing them should be thorough and well studied. In my opini

In a recent post, I proposed that the Democrats look past the personal attacks made of them by then Candidate Trump. Critics say everyone attacks one another, personally and otherwise. But for the record, I am suggesting the Democrats lead by example for the Republicans and move on. I also offered to look past the obstruction by the Republicans of President Obama's Affordable Care Act ("ACA") agenda for 8 years. Again critics say both sides obstruct, but I remember Preside

After I was elected to the Florida Senate in 1978, the presiding officer in that body was one of it's most respected members, Senator Phil Lewis (D., West Palm Beach). Deep in his Catholic faith, the Senator was known for his kindness and consideration of the needs of members on both sides of the aisle. I often remind readers of his extraordinary request that funding for a school in his name in his Palm Beach County District, be removed since it had not gone through the pai

After I was elected to the Florida Senate in 1978, the presiding officer in that body was one of it's most respected members, Senator Phil Lewis (D., West Palm Beach). Deep in his Catholic faith, the Senator was known for his kindness and consideration of the needs of members on both sides of the aisle. I often remind readers of his extraordinary request that funding for a school in his name in his Palm Beach County District, be removed since it had not gone through the pai