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Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

March 11 is not only the final day of the 2016 Legislative Session, but it’s also the last day to apply for state Insurance Commissioner. As of Friday morning, 47 people had applied for the position, but none were “marquee” names. For instance, former state Rep. Tom Grady previously told FloridaPolitics.com he wasn’t interested in the job. […]

Staff ReportsMarch 9, 2016

Senate President Andy Gardiner on Wednesday all but slammed the door on state Surgeon General John Armstrong‘s chances of getting confirmed this session. That would make him the first state agency head in two decades to be rejected by the Senate. Asked whether a vote on Armstrong’s confirmation would come to the Senate floor, the Orlando Republican told […]

Peter SchorschMarch 9, 2016

Tuesday, FloridaPolitics.com reported on the stunning victory that Sen. Jeff Brandes’ Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Bill (SB 1044) saw in the Florida House, passing unanimously in that chamber. SB 1044 had passed the Senate (also unanimously) this past Friday. The success of this bill – which requires that law enforcement charge someone with a crime […]

Associated PressMarch 9, 2016

The Florida Legislature wants to create a memorial to remember the victims of the Holocaust. The House on Wednesday voted to build a memorial on the grounds of the Florida Capitol complex. The bill (SB 716) now heads to Gov. Rick Scott. Legislators have set aside $100,000 in the state budget for the memorial. The […]

Associated PressMarch 8, 2016

Florida legislators will vote later this week on an $82.3 billion budget. The proposed budget was formally delivered to state lawmakers at 2:53 Tuesday afternoon. That clears the way for legislators to take a final vote on Friday. State law requires that the budget must be finished 72 hours ahead of the vote. Top House […]

Staff ReportsMarch 8, 2016

Police would have to charge people with a crime before they can seize their money, cars, homes or other property under a bill going to Gov. Rick Scott. State Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill (SB 1044) was passed by the House 116-0 on Tuesday. The St. Petersburg Republican’s proposal garnered support from both liberals and conservatives. The measure is designed […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday ordered the U.S. and state flags lowered to half-staff at “all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida” in honor of the late Nancy Reagan, the governor said in a statement. The flags will be lowered immediately and remain there till sunset on the day Mrs. Reagan […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

The same week that the Senate confirmation chances of its secretary – Surgeon General John Armstrong – continue dangling by a thread, the Florida Department of Health issued a news release in advance of an upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Armstrong has been criticized for, among other things, the state’s overall growing rate of HIV/AIDS. Thursday is the 11th […]

Guest AuthorMarch 7, 2016

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the partisan maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature violated the Fair Districts amendments, Rep. John Wood, R-Polk, called for impeachment proceedings against the justices. Now, Wood and his colleagues in the House are asking the people of Florida to believe that the judicial term-limits bill passed in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a measure that overhauls Florida’s death penalty by requiring that at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend an execution for it to be ordered. Scott approved the bill (HB 7101) on Monday, according to a statement from his office. Florida previously only required that a majority of jurors […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Listen to Tom Leek's first radio ad.

Sine die and deadline to apply for Insurance Commissioner job both Friday

The latest: John Armstrong likely out at Health

Forfeiture reform headed to Gov. Scott, but is it in the 2016 mix?

Florida to create Holocaust Memorial

Lawmakers now considering $82.3 billion state budget

Lawmakers OK civil forfeiture reform

Rick Scott orders flags lowered for Nancy Reagan

John Armstrong burnishes anti-HIV cred amid confirmation doubts

Eric Lesh and Mark Ferrulo: Another legislative power grab for control of the courts

Rick Scott signs death penalty overhaul into law