Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutDecember 3, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court approved a sweeping overhaul of the state’s congressional districts on Wednesday, a move that will upend the political landscape ahead of the pivotal 2016 elections. The justices ruled 5-2 in favor of the new boundaries for many of Florida’s 27 districts. The ruling signs off on the map that Circuit Judge […]

Jim RosicaDecember 2, 2015

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Tallahassee on Wednesday said she was “disappointed” by the state Supreme Court’s decision in a redistricting case that could spell the end of her nascent congressional career. But Graham, elected in 2014, said she hadn’t decided which direction her public service will next take. The court approved a map that redraws […]

Mitch PerryDecember 2, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court gave its blessing gave its blessing Wednesday to a congressional districts map that was picked by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis back in October. The high court had ruled in July that the Legislature gerrymandered eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts in violation of the 2012 Fair District amendments. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2015

Mindful of time constraints, the judge in charge of the state Senate redistricting case said he’ll likely have to just pick one of the many proposed new maps rather than, say, combining elements of different ones. Circuit Judge George Reynolds held a pretrial hearing in the case on Tuesday, with trial set to begin 9:30 […]

Associated PressDecember 1, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court is taking up a long-running legal dispute that could result in slot machines being added at dog and horse tracks across the state. The 1st District Court of Appeal in early October ruled that slot machines couldn’t be installed at a facility west of Tallahassee. But the decision was unusual because […]

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2015

The judge accused of causing the Florida judicial system “to become a national embarrassment” should not be removed from office, his lawyers argued in a court filing released Tuesday. Last June, Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy was caught on courtroom video blowing up at then-Assistant Public Defender Andrew Weinstock, telling the lawyer he wanted to […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

The plaintiffs in the state Senate redistricting case could call 21 witnesses – and possibly more – at this month’s 5-day trial, according to filings in the case released Monday night. The plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Florida, released a list of five “will call” witnesses: State Sen. Bill Galvano, the head of the […]

Peter SchorschNovember 25, 2015

From the diners and town halls of Iowa and New Hampshire to the governor’s mansion in Tallahassee and from … to Charlie Crist’s waterfront condominium in St. Petersburg, politicians across Florida will gather at Thanksgiving dinner tables to celebrate the most American of holidays. Before they dig into dishes of stuffed Florida zucchini and yellow squash Parmesan and Florida snap […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaNovember 24, 2015

The plaintiffs in the state Senate redistricting case have reshuffled their proposed maps to redraw the state’s 40 senatorial districts, saying they want to “narrow the issues for trial.” Part of their reason was the much-maligned “jumping the Bay,” or districts that cross the water from Hillsborough County into Pinellas County to capture a Democratic […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court approves new congressional map

Gwen Graham staying course despite redistricting decision

Charlie Crist hails Florida Supreme Court’s approval of new congressional map

Judge in redistricting case says he may just “pick a map”

Florida Supreme Court agrees to take up slot machine dispute

Lawyers argue for keeping accused “kick ass” judge on bench

Judge to hold first pre-trial hearing for Senate redistricting

Peter Schorsch: Florida's pols owe plenty of thanks this holiday

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

Maps shuffled in state Senate redistricting fight