Before launching an upstart insurance firm and donating $110,000 to Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign, the president of Heritage Property and Casualty Corp. repeatedly ran into trouble with Florida’s insurance regulators at previous companies he led. 

At first glance it isn’t clear if the Florida Chamber merely grades on a curve, or if Florida’s lawmakers are impressively aligned on a pro-jobs agenda: in its 2013 Legislative Report Card, nearly six out of ten lawmakers scored an “A”.  But at closer look, the Chamber’s grading methodology is impressively thorough, reliable and clear; a refreshing change from political scorecards issued by various other groups which toss out grades like beads at Mardi Gras.

As for so many Americans, the attacks on 9/11 were a turning point for Caitlin Murray.

“I was motivated to enter politics as a high school sophomore. Watching the second of two airliners smash into the trade towers proved to be a life changing event for me,” Caitlin writes. “From that point on, I wanted to learn as much as I could about the world around me and, in particular, my country.”

As summer approaches, thousands of people will flock to Florida’s greatest natural beauty—the beaches. One environmental group wants beachgoers to remember they are sharing the sand with other “beach babies.”

This Memorial Day, the conservation group Audubon reminds those visiting the Florida coast to watch out for the various species of birds that live on beaches and coastal islands. Much of this native wildlife have become endangered and increasingly rare.

In a move that may sound a little like rain on your wedding day, a leading online reputation-building company announced Wednesday that former Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon has joined its board of advisors.

ReputationChanger.com, whose website says it is dedicated to “protecting and advocating for our clients’ online images,” is part of a growing industry of digital message-shapers.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and 22 other attorneys general accused Urban Outfitters on Wednesday of "undermining" nationwide efforts to fight pharmaceutical-drug abuse because the store sells a line of drinking novelties that mimic prescription-pill bottles, boxes, pads and syringes.

Matthew Leger, 28, entered politics because “it doesn’t feel like a job.” Loving what he does for the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches, Matthew enjoys helping people on a daily basis in addition to working with legislators and regulators to maintain a healthy business environment for the association and its clients.

Gov. Rick Scott’s office already has one catchphrase: “It’s Working.”

He might consider one more: “It’s Being Reviewed.”

One form or another of the word “review” is a favorite of the governor and his staff when asked the status of legislation and other state business.

For example, “We’ll review…

Victoria Kirby, 26, entered politics to do her part in keeping this nation ruled by an active citizenry, and sees grassroots organizing as a way to engage more Americans in the process.

Florida was shut out Tuesday by the National Football League and Major League Soccer.

The NFL awarded the 2016 Super Bowl to the San Francisco area and the 2017 championship contest to Houston, a little more than two weeks after a bill tied to potential state funding for the Miami Dolphins and an Orlando soccer stadium died in the Florida House.

Tyler Hudson remembers thinking, at age 15, that politics was “an exciting, challenging profession where people worked hard each day to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.”

Allison Liby-Schoonover, 28, thrives on the fast-paced dynamic of political business and has an insatiable desire to study policy.  Her first role in Tallahassee was through the Department of Lottery under Sec. Leo DeBenigno and Eli Nortelus. Allison has worked as a literature teacher at an inner-city high school in West Philly, a registered lobbyist, a Senate staffer, and a political fundraiser for the Republican Party of Florida. 

What’s good for the [filtered word] is good for the gander, so I answered the questionnaire I wrote for the “30 under 30″ crowd. Here is me, in my own words:

I am 37  years-old. I never wanted to reach a number above an NFL running back (32, 33), but now I pray every day to make into defensive lineman territory (Warren Sapp wore 99.)