David Simmons

Last week, someone told the Rev. Joel Hunter that they hoped his family dies in a fire. Why? Because Hunter had the audacity to speak out against intolerance, specifically intolerance against Muslims. Hunter quickly paid the price, receiving...

TALLAHASSEE — There's sort of a politico cognitive dissonance occurring this year in Florida's Capitol when it comes to corporate welfare. The Legislature is in a full-throated "show me the jobs" mood over Gov. Rick Scott's plans to give $278...

They control some of the largest work forces in town. They can affect your health care, your daily commute, even your kids' education. Some of them have direct lines to the White House. They are Central Florida's power players. And you deserve to...

This is why Florida is the butt of the nation's jokes. We can't count our votes on time. The road to CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus' downfall veered straight off Interstate 4 and into the mansion of "Tampa Kardashian" Jill Kelley. We order...

It's time to hear what you guys have to say — about everything from big payouts at the Sanford airport to shoddy treatment of veterans. Plus, we have an abundance of strange and funny notes from confused readers. Mr. Maxwell: I want to ask you...

Republican Rep. Scott Plakon, locked in a close race with Democrat Karen Castor Dentel, is putting his original television ad back on the air for the final few days of the campaign in House District 30. The spot focuses on legislation Plakon, R-Longwood,...

TALLAHASSEE — On the eve of a Senate vote to dramatically overhaul Citizens' Property Insurance by letting rates go up and trying to shift more policies to the private market, consumer advocate came out against the bill essentially saying the bad...

While the potential loss of future Republican House Speaker Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, has understandably drawn all the attention, it wasn't the only eyebrow-raising result last night in Seminole County. In a neighboring state House district, for...

Outgoing House Speaker Dean Cannon will be back in Winter Park tomorrow night for a fundraiser to help Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood. Cannon and Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley are the headliners at the reception for Plakon, who is locked in a tough re-...

TALLAHASSEE — Looks like Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer might get to keep his seat on a new regional toll authority after all. A bill, SB 952, advancing through the Senate would fold the expressway authorities in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake...

TALLAHASSEE — In a move inspired by Orange County's fight last year over paid sick-time, the Florida House voted mostly along party lines Thursday to block local governments from adopting their own stronger worker wage and sick-leave protections....

  There seems to be a big difference off opinion on what kind of job Sen. David Simmons is doing in the state Legislature. Last night the Florida School Boards Association named him Outstanding Legislator of the Year. Today, Fund Education Now, a...