All checks, no balance: A Times/Herald special report

Subscribe to this blog's feed

FEBRUARY 25, 2011

s Florida lawmakers arrive in Tallahassee for the 2011 session, few dispute that a sea change has swept through the Capitol in recent years.

Term limits ushered in an era that gives lawmakers less time to master the art of legislative politics while accelerating their campaigns for the next political office. Super-parties have emerged from a mish-mash of campaign finance laws. The power of a 40-member Senate and 120-member House has been concentrated among a few select lawmakers. And pro-consumer ideas are often drowned out by the drumbeat of special interests.

In a special report to be published Sunday, the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau examines institutional problems within a Legislature that has struggled to push the state out of its economic crisis.

Campaign finance: Dollars are hard to track
Marching in lockstep: Novices learn to stay in line
Power plays: The many ways a bill dies
Scripted partisanship: Term limits sap political wisdom
Conflicts of interest: Rules are different in Tallahassee
Glossary: 10 terms of (political) art

Posted by Michael C Bender at 5:27:57 pm on February 25, 2011 in

| Permalink | Comments

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

Obama keeps up Bain attack with fliers in Miami May 24

The other political convention in Tampa May 24

USF on budget, PECO: "Trying to avoid catastrophe" May 24

Floridians narrowly approve of Gov. Scott's rejection of request to ban concealed guns outside RNC May 24

Scott to King of Spain: 'I've ridden elephants. I've never tried to shoot one.' May 24

Not so fast, GOP. Unlike Q Poll, Marist FL poll says Obama, Nelson winning May 24

Q poll: Connie Mack tied w Bill Nelson, crushing George LeMieux May 24

Democrat Dave Aronberg draws Charlie Crist, Fla GOP finance chair to fundraiser May 23

Millions of dollars fuel onslaught of campaign TV ads in Florida May 23

John Legg to switch Senate races, square off with Jim Norman May 23

About the blog

For Florida political news today, the Buzz is your can't-miss-it source. Tampa Bay Times writers offer the latest in Florida politics, the Florida Legislature and the Rick Scott administration. Keep in mind: This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the Tampa Bay Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.

E-mail Times political editor Adam Smith: asmith@tampabay.com

ON TWITTER

SPECIAL REPORTS

SITES OF INTEREST

POLITICAL LINKS

TIMES COLUMNS

REAL CLEAR POLITICS BLOG

POLITICS HEADLINES from the AP

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.