Government and Politics

Obama Supports Marco Rubio's "Stop Taxing Olympians" Stand

Marco Rubio introduced the The Olympic Tax Elimination Act, which aims to end the taxing the winnings and medal value of Olympians, with a bit of old fashioned, conservative anti-tax zeal. "Our tax code is a complicated and burdensome mess that too often punishes success, and the tax impos ... More >>

Marco Rubio Wants To Stop Taxing Olympic Medal Winners

Marco Rubio has been studying the American tax code, and at last he's discovered the scourge that's been dragging down the U.S. economy. No, it's not Obama's higher taxes on the top-one percent, and it's not Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.It's Uncle Sam's tax on Olympic medalists, who, yeah, appa ... More >>

Q Poll: Obama Up 51-45 in Florida

Another day, another poll. The latest Quinnipiac Poll shows Barack Obama with a six-point lead in Florida, much larger than the one-point lead a PPP poll reported yesterday. It's the largest lead for Obama that any poll has shown in months.Meanwhile, Quinnipiac also has Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson u ... More >>

America's War on Mexicans Starts Now

A hostile Supreme Court and a feckless Obama administration have gone too far.

New Voting Laws Could Take Out Barack Obama This Fall

Obama Has a Chance: Federal Judge Blocks Florida Voting Restrictions

A federal judge in Tallahassee this afternoon blocked some of the most severe restrictions of a voter registration law passed last year by the Republican Florida legislature. The law has been severely criticized by opponents as an attempt to limit minority participation this fall's election. It was ... More >>

Report: Hugo Chavez Near Death, Not Expected to Live More Than a Few Months

According to Dan Rather, of all reporters, a source close to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez says his cancer has reached its final stages and the dictator is not expected to live for more than a few more months. Reports of Chavez's failing health first emerged when he mysteriously flew to Havana in ... More >>

Rick Scott's Taxpayer Waste Czar Got $400,00 No-Bid Contract in Taxpayer Money

Abraham Uccello, the man appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to head a task force to reduce waste in state government, once received a $400,000 no-bid contact from the state to provide "technology consulting." Uccello, by the way, is close friends with Steve MacNamara, Scott's chief of staff.Here's a good ... More >>

Poll: Romney Inches Past Obama in Florida

Most polls of Florida voters taken in the past few months have shown President Barack Obama with a slim but definite lead over Mitt Romney, but now that Romney is all but the official nominee it seems that he's now taken the slimmest of leads in the Sunshine State according to the latest Quinnipiac ... More >>

Marco Rubio's Grandpa Was Nearly Deported, Book Reveals, Complicating Immigration Policy

As if Marco Rubio's attempts to moderate the GOP's immigration stance weren't difficult enough: A Washington Post reporter has released part of a biography revealing that Rubio's grandfather ignored deportation orders from a Miami immigration court -- a detail that, combined with Rubio's own call fo ... More >>

Stand Your Ground Law Shouldn't Be Repealed, Gun Group Tells Rick Scott

In the wake of Trayvon Martin's killing, even Dennis Baxley -- the original sponsor of Florida's Stand Your Ground law and among the most pro-gun legislators in the whole country -- has distanced himself from the law by saying it shouldn't apply to George Zimmerman. Gov. Rick Scott has bowed to popu ... More >>

Poll: Obama Will Crush Any Republican in Latino Vote, Unless Marco Rubio Is VP Nominee

​A new poll, commissioned by Fox News Latino, suggests that whichever Republican candidate emerges as the presidential nominee has very little hope of capturing the Hispanic vote. Seventy-three percent of Latino voters say they approve of Obama's job performance, and in head-to-head match ups ... More >>

Otis Wallace, Florida City's "mayor for life," is corrupt with power

Udonis Haslem Really Is Thinking About Running for Mayor of Miami

After last night's game against the Kings, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra joked that Udonis Haslem will "eventually ...be mayor of this town." Turns out that Haslem has actually given some thought to a political future, and may someday actually run for mayor of Miami. Watch out, Tomas Regalado.&nbs ... More >>

Opa-locka Mayor's Husband, Son and Sister Arrested for Campaign Fund Fraud

Family drama and political corruption have collided in Opa-locka this afternoon as three immediate family members of the town's Mayor Myra Taylor were rounded up and arrested for campaign fund fraud.John Taylor, the mayor's husband, Demetrius Taylor, her son, and Elvira Smith, her sister, all now fa ... More >>

Miami's Five Worst City and County Managers Who Prove Merrett Stierheim Wrong

Over the weekend, Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez revealed he is entertaining the idea of eliminating the city manager's position in favor of the strong mayor form of government. His proposal, which would require voter approval to change the city charter, makes sense because it gives residents one ... More >>

Three New Polls Show Romney and Gingrich Now Tied in Florida

​Not so fast, Newt.Three separate polls released in the past 24 hours and just days ahead of the Florida primary show that Mitt Romney may be one his way to retaking the lead once again. Two polls shows Romney with a slight lead of two percent (those are within the margins of error, so they're tec ... More >>

Newt Gingrich Calls for New Cold War With Cuba, Ron Paul Says One Was Enough

15 years out of government and Newt's still crazy​The 3 a.m. phone call has struck again. In tonight's GOP primary debate, NBC anchor Bryan Williams asked the candidates what they would do if told that Fidel Castro had finally died and "half a million Cubans" were on their way to the United States ... More >>

Rick Scott Won't Offer Primary Endorsement: Both Newt and Mitt Breathe Sigh of Relief

It's not exactly like anyone was chasing the big Rick Scott endorsement anyway, but today Florida's popularity challenged governor made it clear that he will not be endorsing anyone ahead of the state's Republican primary. We doubt either Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney will lose much sleep over being ... More >>

Mitt Romney Retakes Big Lead in Florida, Floridians Really Don't Like Ron Paul

​After a brief spell where Florida Republicans seemed to favor Newt Ginrgrich as their GOP flavor of the month, Mitt Romney is firmly back on top in the Sunshine State after his Iowa caucus victory. Gingrich remains second, while Rick Santorum has seen his fortunes rise somewhat but is still a dis ... More >>

GOP Lawmaker Files Bill to Raise Florida's Sales Tax by 3 Percent

​It's not often you see Republican politicians filing bills to raise taxes, but that's exactly what Rep. Fred Costello of Ormond Beach has done. He has introduced a bill that would add a 3 percent surtax to Florida's sales tax. The bill also supports the idea of added taxes to Internet purchases a ... More >>

Mitt Romney Takes the Slightest of Leads in Latest Florida Poll

​The story of the 2012 presidential primary seems to be one of surging candidates quickly falling down to earth, with one, Mitt Romney, remaining consistently stable. It's beginning to look like Newt Gingrich might join Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Herman Cain as a discarded frontrunner. Aft ... More >>

Carlos Gimenez Is No Longer Looking Out For Akerman Senterfitt, Lobbyists Who Funded His Campaign

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has vetoed a controversial lobbying contract that included a law firm that has generously supported his political campaign for the county's top elected position. Citing the county commission's failure to cut the cost of Miami-Dade's lobbying services, Gimenez killed t ... More >>

Castro Death Meter: Fidel More Dead Than Kim Jong Il's Dead Body, Say Medical Experts

​Pobre Fidelito. Being a dying dictator was his idea. But now Hugo Chavez has fat cancer, and Kim Jong Il went to ride his giant rabbits in the sky. Nobody's paying attention to the totally dead antics of Fidel Castro. He's like the fourth-grade girl who wore Silly Bandz before it was kewl. ... More >>

Rick Scott Hits New Poll Low at 26 Percent; More Now Believe in Ghosts Than Gov.

​Boy oh boy does everybody hate, hate, hate Rick Scott. Everybody! Well, more than seven in ten Florida voters can't stand the guy, at least, according to a new poll out this morning from the Public Policy Polling firm.Scott's 26 percent approval rating is so dismal, it got us at Riptide wondering ... More >>

Could Jeb Bush Still Enter the GOP Presidential Primary?

​The Confederacy of Dunces that emerged to vie for the GOP presidential primary certainly must have some could-have-been candidates rethinking their decision. After the swift, and often surreal, rises and eventual falls of Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Herman Cain, the race is pretty much down ... More >>

Absentee Ballot Fraud Could Derail Obama In 2012

​Luther Campbell, the man whose booty-shaking madness made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech, gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, he highlights the absentee ballot scam on the electoral process.Rampant absentee ballot fraud is destroying democracy in Miami ... More >>

Judith Thompson's Vote Was Stolen By Unknown Ballot Bandits

​A recent Miami-Dade ethics commission probe concluded three women residing at an assisted living facility in North Miami Beach were victims of absentee ballot voter fraud. The commission's executive director, Joe Centorino, notified officials at the Park Plaza Retirement Residence that while the ... More >>

George Weah, South Florida's Secret Soccer Legend, Could Be Liberia's Next Vice President

wikimedia commonsGeorge Weah, retired soccer star, lives near Miami and is running to be vice president of Liberia​South Florida is the adopted home of all types of international men and women of mystery: from Latin American strongmen to drug runners, movie stars to criminals on the lam. It's wher ... More >>

You Can Take Your Gun to Miami Parks and Government Buildings Starting November 17thq

​Too scared to enter a City of Miami or Miami-Dade park or government building because you can't protect yourself by carrying a licensed concealed weapon? Well, you probably don't exist. But if you do, fear not, starting on November 17th you'll be able to arm yourself in any park and government bu ... More >>

Rick Perry: Awful politician, genius campaigner

Supposed Tea Party Leaders Support Resorts World Miami Casino

​Recent research seems to suggest that the Tea Party is just the old, trusty religious right wrapped up in a shiny new package. Apparently, South Florida Tea Partiers didn't get the memo. Two Tea Party leaders in the area, which neither appear to be very powerful, have voiced their public support ... More >>

Miami-Dade County Commission Unanimously Asks Florida Legislature to Chill Out on Crazy Immigration Laws

​It's hard to get the Miami-Dade County Commission to agree on anything, but every single member voted today for a resolution that asks the state legislature to cool it on all those crazy conservative immigration bills they've been trying to pass. The Florida Legislature will, more than likely, to ... More >>

Indict North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre

Eligio Cedeño: A banker battles Hugo Chavez

Fidel Castro's Birthday Present: A Big Transsexual Wedding

​Fidel Castro turned 85 this past Saturday, and the celebrations were mostly typical. Supporters held a giant concert featuring dozens of musical acts, but Castro himself spent the day in seclusion, which prompted rumors he might have been too feeble for a public appearance. Miami exiles, meanwhil ... More >>

Memories of 9/11

Cuba gets high-speed Internet

Recall Tomas Regalado

Allen West Tells Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz to "Shut the Heck Up"

​Republican Congressman Allen West, everyone's favorite Iraqi-torturing politician from the 22nd district, has given us another lesson in the statesmanship he holds so dear.West sent an email to fellow Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz late yesterday after she made remarks on the House floor th ... More >>

Rick Scott's dirtiest deeds

Rick Scott's Approval Rating Falls to 27 Percent in Conservative Poll

​The Democratically aligned Public Policy Polling and the nonpartisan Quinnipiac University polling service have both shown that Rick Scott's approval ratings are about the worst of any governor in the nation. But some of Rick Scott's fervent supporters might be the type to doubt the accuracy of " ... More >>

Florida Tea Party Group Thinks Saving Manatees Is Part of Mass Godless Conspiracy

​Members of Florida Tea Party groups are so upset with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's efforts to save manatees that they are claiming that new rules to possibly be imposed in famous Kings Bay would not only go against the Bible, but also are part of a vast United Nations conspiracy ... More >>

Carlos Gimenez Adds Two Staffers, One at $225K Per Year

Genaro "Chip" Iglesias is back at County Hall. ​Carlos Gimenez is turning to a trusted face to help him run Miami-Dade County government. Banana Republican has confirmed Gimenez is bringing back Genaro "Chip" Iglesias, whom we predicted last week would be part of the new mayor's team. Iglesias wil ... More >>

Poll: Rick Scott's Unpopularity Could Help Obama in Florida

​Fresh off of its Republican primary poll yesterday, Public Policy Polling, a democratically-aligned polling firm, has released new numbers showing that large numbers of Florida voters are less likely to vote for a Republican presidential candidate in 2012 thanks to the actions of Rick Scott. ... More >>

Thousands of Florida Doctors Ask Judge to Block New Law Barring Them From Asking About Guns

​The party that supposedly favors deregulation and keeping the government out of people's lives passed a state law this year that barred doctors from asking patients about gun ownership. Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law, but now a group of thousands of doctors and gun control gr ... More >>

2012 Poll: Mitt Romney Leads Republicans in Florida, Bachmann and Palin Tie for Second

​Mitt Romney is the man to beat in Florida as the 2012 Republican primary horse race heats up. Romney holds a ten-point advantage over second place finishers Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin. Romney also benefits from incredibly low support for similar candidates like John Hunstman and Tim Paw ... More >>

Miami Springs Mayor Zavier Garcia Delinquent on His Taxes

Miami Springs Mayor Zavier Garcia.​While his constituents watch taxes rise and home values slide, Miami Springs Mayor Zavier Garcia has not paid property taxes and owes back taxes on his business.Since Riptide posted a story last week that reported Garcia was in foreclosure, details of other fisca ... More >>

Miami Lakes councilman used Facebook to skirt Sunshine Laws, resident says

Did Two Miami Lakes Councilmen Violate The Sunshine Law Via Facebook?

Miami Lakes Councilman Nelson Hernandez​Like any social-media-savvy politician, Miami Lakes Councilman Nelson Hernandez uses Facebook to correspond with his constituents. "This is the 21st Century," Hernandez says. "Why wouldn't I use a great communication tool to get my message across?"But a town ... More >>