Bob McKnight

I did not serve with Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the Florida Legislature, but I did follow her career with a passing interest since we both served in the House and Senate from South Florida. She has always struck me as bright, but lacking in effective lawmaking skills. She was always working on the fringe left, never seeking out effective bi-partisan legislative partners. When she went to the Congress, I thought President Barack Obama made a mistake by making her the highe

One of the most popular members in the Florida Legislature during the Golden Age of the '70's and '80's was the powerful Chairman of the Florida House of Representatives Transportation Committee, C. Fred Jones (D., Auburndale) from Imperial Polk County. C. Fred was a former Mayor of Auburndale, who knew how to mix and mingle on the floor, and pass important bills, as well as any other I met in either the House or Senate. I can still remember working long and hard

In 2014 the United States Court came down with the historic Citizens United Ruling allowing unlimited financial contributions for candidates. The rationale for the ruling seems to be consistent with a value of our country--not restricting access of citizens to their government. The initial thought is we are talking about ensuring access to meet and communicate with our representatives for their effective representation of our interests. But, when you take the rationale to t

Regardless of how one feels about "Term Limits," they are law now. As an amendment to our Constitution, Terms Limits mean that service in the Florida Legislature can be more longer than 8 years in succession, for each chamber. Advocates argue that Term Limits forces turnover for what as designed as a "Citizen's Legislature," meeting for 60 days each year. Opponents say that by limiting the terms of lawmakers, and no others, it shifts the political power to unelected lobbyi