Tom Lee

Dierdre Macnab: Here's what we learned from this year's legislative session

2013-05-03 00:00:00

Florida citizens, this is no time to take your eyes off the Legislature in Tallahassee. For those who have political fatigue after the frenzied past two years of endless presidential campaigns, remember: Tallahassee is where Florida's future and our...

Lawmakers fail to make best use of state surplus

2013-05-01 00:00:00

After the Great Recession took a bite out of tax revenues in Florida, state lawmakers had an easy answer if their constituents complained about spending cuts: The deficit made me do it. But working with the first surplus in five years — enough...

Legalized bribery, secret skin rashes and divorce, Tallahassee style

2013-04-25 14:36:00

With only a week to go in this year's Legislative session, you have a lot at stake. We're talking about bills that affect everything from your wallet to your health. Let's run through some of them. Money for you. I want to start with some good news:...

State's $74.5 billion budget comes with something for everyone

2013-04-30 00:00:00

The largest budget in state history landed on the desks of Florida lawmakers Monday, brimming with a 6 percent spending increase that includes a tuition hike for university students, pay raises for teachers and state employees and hundreds of millions...

Medical liability bill gets snagged by gun concerns

2013-04-30 00:00:00

A Senate priority bill to limit the liability of Florida doctors ran into trouble in the House on Monday when opponents suggested that it could be used by insurance companies who represent the doctors to create a private registry of gun owners. The...

Support alimony reform and equal shared parenting

2013-04-25 00:00:00

Regarding the April 18 story "Alimony law in Florida changes drastically under new bill:" Writing as a divorced, alimony-paying, retired university divorce researcher, I urge Gov. Rick Scott to sign the alimony reform legislation currently sitting on his...

Sports-Breaks-On-Steroids bill takes shape in Senate

2013-04-02 16:37:20

Senate advancing loopholes for lobbyist gift-ban

2013-04-01 16:33:47

Senate advancing its own campaign-finance reform

2013-03-11 16:36:44

Every spring, lawmakers' quest for free gifts begins anew

2013-03-02 10:48:00

Ah, springtime in Florida. Azaleas and hyacinths explode like fireworks in displays of brilliant color. The sweet smell of honeysuckle begins to waft through the air. And up in Tallahassee, lawmakers begin an equally reliable annual ritual: their...

Lobbyists’ $212 million haul ‘eye-opening’ for lawmakers

2013-02-15 16:33:39

Senate fast-tracking ethics reform package

2013-01-15 16:35:50

A strong ally Senate Majority Leader Alex J. Villalobos (Dist. 38) has a little fun while waiting for the House session to finish by pulling a picture of an explosion out of his "Last Resort" folder.

2005-05-18 12:55:13

A staunch loyalist Amiable, respected, deliberative and always in the thick of the big issues, Pruitt took over as Senate Rules chairman this year to better prepare himself for his next job.

2005-05-18 12:40:49

On the horn Senate President Tom Lee is ordering an investigation into GOP legislators' trip to Toronto.

2005-05-18 00:00:00