By Matthew Falconer
The Orlando Sentinel published an article this week which revealed that the tolls on the 528 Beachline will increase from $1.50 to $2.00. Tolls will also increase on the 408, 429, 417 and the Florida Turnpike.
With taxpayers struggling to survive in this weak economy and under the weight of almost $4 per gallon gas, another toll increase is a recipe for disaster…
By Matt Falconer
This week my Representative Steve Precourt delivered a “flip-flop” that would make even the likes of “I voted for it, before I voted against it” John Kerry envious.
During the extensive debate in recent years about SunRail, Representative Precourt was a consistent and avid supporter of the Central Florida commuter rail project, even to the extent of proposing a statewide network of government rail.
By Matthew Falconer
Our nation has become the most prosperous on earth because our Constitution ensures economic and individual freedom. The balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches ensures our constitutional rights and freedoms are protected.
But when one branch of government, in this case the judicial branch, oversteps its constitutional mandate our freedom and even our economy are threatened…
By Matthew Falconer
The principles and values of the Republican Party are accepted by the majority of Americans; low taxes and individual freedom are not only popular they are also the path to prosperity. Government uses money less effectively than the private sector therefore small government brings a vibrant economy.
But despite victories in the 2010 elections fueled by the Tea Party, the Republican Party of Florida is losing supporters. Today I received this email from a supporter…
By Matthew Falconer
A local newspaper columnist once stated “politicians should wear Nascar like jackets with corporate sponsor logos so we can see who they work for.”
Almost everyone I speak with outside of incumbents and establishment types believes special interests have far too much influence on public policy. In Tallahassee, where we have a state legislature that operates outside of the view of the public, special interests have spent $121 million this year…
By Matthew Falconer
Conservatives in Florida share a common enemy; reckless government spending.
The single largest government spending project proposed in Florida is the statewide network of passenger rail projects established by our legislature under The Florida Rail Enterprise Act of 2009…
By Matthew Falconer
Leadership funds allow politicians to raise money outside of campaign finance laws, outside of the party, and without any control by the Governor.
On March 24th, 2011, the Florida House overrode a veto by former Governor Charlie Crist and brought “leadership funds” back to Florida. Leadership funds were banned in 1989 because they brought corruption to the political system and created a “pay-to-play” environment…
By Matthew Falconer
I am truly humbled and honored at the outpouring of support at my announcement I am running for State Representative.
People from all across Florida and Orange County sent me encouraging emails and travel as much as 40 miles to attend my announcement speak. The reason I am seeking public office is…
By Matthew Falconer
I believe America’s best days are ahead of us.
But to restore prosperity in America we need to understand our past.
The greatest generation in America is always the next generation. We pass our traditions and American ingenuity to our children who have for 240 years made the world a better place. American democracy unleashed the idea of the entrepreneur; the idea that any man or women can build his or her own future through their hard work and ingenuity.
By Matthew Falconer
Since the vast majority of Floridians will never meet Governor Rick Scott or have a chance to work with him, their impression of the Governor comes through the media.
I serve on Florida’s “Government Efficiency Task Force” and on the Board of Directors for “Workforce Florida” and have a chance to work not only with Governor Scott but with state employees who run every government department…
By Kim Carroll
Women have the power. They take their right to vote seriously and show up at the polls in greater numbers than men according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
In 2008, 60.4 percent of eligible female voters cast their vote versus 55.7% of eligible males. According to the same study, more women are registered to vote than men, 66.6 million versus 63.5 million. Maybe that’s why the “War on Women” has taken a front seat in this election…
By: George Noga
This post kicks off a three-part series about the crisis of spending, debt and deficits.
The next part deals with the interval between now and the inevitable arrival of the Minsky Moment, i.e. the unknown and unknowable time when an unsustainable economic phenomenon suddenly collapses.
The third post will address Gotterdammerung, or what happens after the Minsky Moment.
By Tom Tillison
It’s a fair guess that Connie Mack has seen some recent polling that has gotten his attention.
As the week closed out, the rhetoric coming from the Mack campaign took on a rather fervent pitch. In a press release sent out Thursday, it made the claim that opponent George LeMieux has “endorsed raising Florida’s sales tax to a nation-leading 16 percent.”
By L. Persona
Florida Democrats believe they can win a few Republican seats in Congress and are preparing a major offensive against several Republicans facing tough challenges this year. They believe that redistricting gives them a chance to offset the seats they are sure to give up.
However, the Democrats still fail to realize the albatross that ObamaCare places on their party’s efforts…
By Lloyd Marcus
A big well dressed black guy attended the Dallas, TX tea party rally with his white buddy. Both men missed my singing performance on stage minutes earlier.
I asked the black gentleman who had an impressive physique how often he worked out. He replied, “Everyday.” His white buddy said with a chuckle, “He thinks the Tea Party is racist.”
