Politics

Data

Study Finds Florida's Minimum Wage Is Too Low

Florida's minimum wage of $8.05 an hour is too low to lift families out of poverty, leaves workers unable to afford health insurance and is not high enough to offset work-related expenses like child care, according to a new report.

08/09/2016 Research by staff

Health care

Buchanan Asks for Federal Money to Fight Heroin Abuse

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, asked federal officials on Monday for immediate aid to confront the region's recent surge of heroin-related overdoses.

07/25/2016 Research by staff

Government

County Considers Changes to Mowing Rules

Sarasota County is proposing changes to mowing service in residential areas within the county's urban service boundary and will host two informational meetings on the changes this week.

07/25/2016 Research by staff

Politics

County Commission Debate Set for Aug. 18

Mike Moran and Frank DiCicco, Republican candidates for the Sarasota County Commission, will square off during a luncheon debate.

07/21/2016 Research by staff

Environment

State Offers Loans to Businesses Affected By Algal Blooms

Gov. Rick Scott last week activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses affected by the presence of algal blooms in nearby waterways.

07/19/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Arts Education Group Hosts School Board Discussion

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is hosting an interview session with Sarasota County School Board candidates Caroline Zucker and Teresa Mast on July 25.

07/14/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Democratic State Senate Debate Set for Aug. 4

Frank Alcock and Frank Cirillo will square off before the Aug. 30 primary.

07/12/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Sarasota Clerk Candidates Debate July 21

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club will host a lunchtime debate between the two candidates for Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller on Thursday, July 21.

07/08/2016 Research by staff

Events

Groups Meet Sept. 15 to Determine Legislative Priorities

The purpose of the Legislative Summit is to bring together a broad range of community members to discuss and establish priorities for the Florida Legislature's 2017 session.

06/24/2016 Research by staff

Civil Discourse

Searching for Common Ground on Gun Laws

We asked State Rep. Greg Steube and Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight to sit down with editor Pam Daniel to discuss two proposed gun bills that failed during the recent legislative session but are expected to be filed again next year.

06/22/2016 By Pam Daniel

Convention Wisdom

Inside This Month's Republican National Convention

Each congressional district in Florida is sending three delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland July 18-21.

06/22/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

New hires

Sarasota County Names New Assistant Administrator

Jonathan Evans recently accepted a conditional offer to become an assistant county administrator with Sarasota County.

06/16/2016 Research by staff

We Shall Overcome

Hundreds Gather at Five Points Park to Mourn, Remember, Speak Out

Speakers on Monday evening called for solidarity, encouraged fearlessness and memorialized Eddie Sotomayor, the Sarasota native killed in Orlando on Sunday.

06/15/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Technology

Court Rules in Favor of FCC Net Neutrality Rules

A D.C. Circuit court ruled Tuesday in favor of the Federal Communications Commission's Open Internet Rules, commonly known as net neutrality.

06/14/2016 Research by staff

Politics

GOP State Senate Forum Scheduled for July 9

Republican candidates Doug Holder, Nora Patterson, Ray Pilon and Greg Steube have agreed to attend.

06/09/2016 Research by staff

Politics

County Commission Candidates' Forum Is Monday

The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations will hold a forum for candidates campaigning for the Sarasota County Commission on Monday, June 13.

06/07/2016 Research by staff

Mean Streets

Sarasota's Homeless Problem Makes National News...Again

A new Washington Post piece highlights Sarasota as a lightning rod for the fierce battle over homelessness.

06/03/2016 By Megan McDonald

Environment

Seasonal Fertilizer Regulations Return

Sarasota County's regulations barring the use of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus return Wednesday, June 1.

05/31/2016 Research by staff

Environment

Obama Signs Reauthorization of National Estuary Program

The law allows the EPA to continue working to improve specially designated waters and habitats, including Sarasota Bay.

05/24/2016 Research by staff

Legal

Rick Scott Reappoints Sarasota Attorney to Judicial Nomination Commission

Florida Gov. Rick Scott last month reappointed real estate attorney Nancy Cason to the state's Twelfth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.

05/24/2016 Research by staff