![[Stern-Wheeler Arriving at Silver Springs, Florida, after an Overnight Run up the St. Johns, Oklawaha, & Silver Rivers]](https://i0.wp.com/devoelmoorecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DT1649.jpg?fit=1080%2C879&ssl=1)
By Jad Kabbani North Florida's springs are highly valued environmental resources, known for their water quality and recreational appeal. The region, along with Central Florida, is home to the densest concentration of freshwater springs in the world. Consequentially, North Florida's economy heavily depends on this abundant natural resource as visitors and locals take advantage of … Continue reading Protecting North Florida’s Springs
Free Clinic Serves Health Care Needs of Poor and Uninsured
By: Chelsea Gow At the Clearwater Free Clinic (CFC), a 58-year-old cook, William Jordan, sought care for what appeared to be a large blister on the bottom of his foot. Lacking health insurance, William put off seeing a doctor for months as his wound increased in size and severity. “I was terrified of what my … Continue reading Free Clinic Serves Health Care Needs of Poor and Uninsured
Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
By Leesa Newbon and Giovanna da Silva Transparency and government accountability are considered essential components to maintaining a healthy democracy and reducing corruption. With the rise of technological advancements in the digital media era, entrepreneurs can facilitate demands for transparency by developing online programs and apps that allow citizens to monitor government institutions and agencies. … Continue reading Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva With the national spotlight on flooding caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has come under scrutiny. The federal program primarily focuses on offering flood insurance coverage and reducing the impact of flood damage. The NFIP was established in 1968 to counteract a market failure on the … Continue reading After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Government Consolidation Rarely Lives Up to Promises
By Matt Kelly Government consolidation is an often-touted solution to economic and social problems in American cities. Several initiatives to combine local governments have resulted in conjoined regional governments, including Indianapolis-Marion County (IN), Athens-Clarke County (GA), and Jacksonville-Duval County (FL). Tallahassee and Leon County have seen six campaigns for consolidation over 50 years, all of … Continue reading Government Consolidation Rarely Lives Up to Promises
Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
by Chad Thomas Political and economic conditions in New Orleans before 2005 left the city unprepared for Hurricane Katrina. The government bureaucracies responsible for levee maintenance were mismanaged and corrupt officials diverted needed funds. Weak economic performance before Katrina also set up affected areas for slow recovery afterward. New Orleans’ experience shows how government can … Continue reading Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
By Matt Kelly In 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that North Carolina’s State Board of Dental Examiners, which administers the state’s occupational licensing regulations, violated federal antitrust law. Occupational licensing has been growing for decades, both in terms of the number of regulated industries and the costs to those seeking licenses. However, the North … Continue reading Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
Decision-making in a Community Redevelopment Agency
By Casey Barr As discussed in a previous blog post, Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) are a form of special district government that funds local redevelopment projects with taxpayer subsidies. But how are spending and organizational decisions made in a CRA? (Source: City of Tallahassee. Available at: https://www.talgov.com/cra/CRAHome.aspx) CRAs can only be established when two governmental units, such … Continue reading Decision-making in a Community Redevelopment Agency
Florida’s Frugal Government
By Randall G. Holcombe, Ph.D. Living in Tallahassee, I often hear people complain about Florida’s frugal state government. It is true that Florida is among the most frugal states. According to this article Florida is second from the bottom among states in per capita state government expenditures, and this article says Florida is also second … Continue reading Florida’s Frugal Government
Florida Risks Government Shutdown
Florida’s legislature failed to pass a budget in this years legislative session. The House and Senate are opposed on major issues related to health care policy and medicaid expansion. Interested readers will want to visit the Beacon, the blog at The Independent Institute’s website, where DeVoe Moore Scholar Dr. Randall Holcombe posted a blog on … Continue reading Florida Risks Government Shutdown