Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2015

A proposed constitutional amendment has crossed the 500,000 signatures line on its way to being approved for voter consideration on the 2016 ballot. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” As of Tuesday morning, it had reported 513,375 valid signatures, according to the state Division of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 21, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday ordered legal briefs to be filed for a review of a proposed solar-power constitutional amendment. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” The court asked for briefs by Jan. 11 – the day before the start of the 2016 Legislative […]

Mitch PerryDecember 18, 2015

The group behind one of two competing solar-power constitutional amendments is throwing in the towel on 2016 and “exploring options for a 2018 campaign,” according to a spokeswoman. As FloridaPolitics.com reported Thursday, a payment dispute with a signature-gathering firm made it unlikely that Floridians for Solar Choice would garner enough signatures to get on the ballot next year. The deadline […]

Mitch PerryDecember 17, 2015

A dispute with a signature-gathering firm makes it likely that the group attempting to expand solar power choice in Florida will fall short of acquiring the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot next year. Floridians for Solar Choice (FSC) needs to get 683,149 signatures turned in to state Division of Elections by February 1. Currently, the state […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2015

The ballot initiative that would increase access to solar power in Florida next year has faced intense opposition from the public utilities and big business all year long. One of those opponents is The James Madison Institute (JMI), a conservative think-tank based in Tallahassee. The group released a report on Wednesday claiming that if the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 11, 2015

Floridians for Solar Choice said Friday that its efforts to gather enough signatures to get on the 2016 are still going strong. The group’s prepared statement came in response to reports that its progress has been slowing of late. “Despite manipulation and millions of dollars spent by Florida’s monopoly utilities, the Solar Choice coalition has […]

Ryan RayNovember 30, 2015

A panel of state economists and analysts estimated Monday one of two dueling ballot initiatives dealing with solar energy voters may consider will not have any affect on state or local government spending should it pass. The meeting was the panel’s second on the topic, and confirmed the estimate as well as drafted a definitive […]

Jim RosicaNovember 24, 2015

Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday formally asked the Florida Supreme Court to review a proposed constitutional amendment on solar power, one of two competing initiatives on the subject. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” Bondi is bound as part of the constitutional amendment process to petition the Supreme […]

Ryan RayNovember 23, 2015

A panel of state economists and analysts estimated Monday one of two dueling ballot initiatives dealing with solar energy voters may consider on the November 2016 elections will not have any impact on state spending should it pass. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference, a slate of economists for the Legislature and executive branch, held a […]

Jim RosicaNovember 11, 2015

Of the groups behind two solar-power constitutional amendments competing to get on the 2016 ballot, one currently has more signatures, but the other now has raised gobs more cash. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar has raised nearly $3.8 million, including $2.3 million in October alone, according to online campaign finance reports. The latest disclosures were due […]

Tag: Consumers for Smart Solar

Solar amendment now at 75 percent of needed signatures

Legal briefs ordered in solar amendment review

Solar-power amendment now looking at 2018 ballot initiative

Dispute with signature gathering firm to doom Florida solar power amendment from getting on 2016 ballot?

Solar power amendment opponent says its passage would cost ratepayers $1.1 billion

Floridians for Solar Choice organizers say they’re still going strong

State economists confirm estimate “Smart Solar” amendment will not increase public spending

Pam Bondi asks high court to review “Smart Solar” amendment

State economists say “Smart Solar” amendment unlikely to have fiscal impact

Utility-backed solar amendment rakes in campaign cash

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.