Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 25, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has extended by another 60 days his executive order that has Florida and all 67 counties providing services and cutting red tape to help evacuating Puerto Ricans settle into the Sunshine State because of Hurricane Maria. On Thursday Scott signed Executive Order 18-17, a second 60-day extension of an order he […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

Republican Attorney General candidate Ashley Moody added eight more Florida sheriffs to her endorsement list Thursday. “I am truly honored to have the endorsement of these respected and dedicated law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line each and every day,” said Moody. “As Florida’s next Attorney General, I look forward to working together to […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court narrowly decided to hear a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto of firefighter pay raises in the 2015-16 state budget. The Court “accepted jurisdiction” of the case (No. SC17-1434) on Thursday, with the first brief on the merits due by Feb. 14. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justices R. Fred […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

An attorney arguing to overturn Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana says if a constitutional amendment doesn’t say it can’t be smoked, then lawmakers and regulators can’t stand in the way of patients who want to. “If you’re the Legislature, why would you pick out smoking and say no? Because this (amendment) allows it,” attorney Jon Mills told […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 25, 2018

A proposed Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) amendment on “privacy” for the 2018 ballot could unravel protections guaranteed to Floridians, according to one of the lawmakers who wrote the state’s 1980 privacy amendment. The proposal, sponsored by Constitution Revision Commissioner John Stemberger and drafted by former Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Bell, would add 10 words to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Heat of the Israel-Palestinian conflict flared Wednesday at the Florida House Government Accountability Committee when a pro-Palestine student charged that a resolution supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a threat to peace, and then the bill’s sponsor interpreted her comments as apparent threats of terrorism. “There will be no true peace and safety […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 24, 2018

(UPDATED)Several candidates running for Florida Attorney General will convene at a forum in Central Florida next month. Republicans Jay Fant, Ashley Moody, Ross Spano and Frank White join Democrat Ryan Torrens to participate in a forum, part of the Federalist Society’s Annual Florida Chapter Conference next Saturday, February 3, at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort in […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 24, 2018

An organization that has earned its reputation for going after white supremacist and hate groups said Wednesday it is demanding more information on the recent deal struck between federal immigration authorities and 17 Florida sheriffs departments. Under the agreement, ICE agreed to pay participating sheriffs departments to hold undocumented immigrants who may be eligible for […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 24, 2018

Editor’s note: Miami Herald journalist Carol Marbin Miller and former Herald reporter Audra D.S. Burch became the first recipients of the Lucy Morgan Award for Open Government Reporting, recognized for the series “Fight Club: Dark Secrets of Florida Juvenile Justice.” Established in November by the First Amendment Foundation, the award is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa […]

Scott PowersJanuary 24, 2018

Democrat Jeff Porter, three-term mayor of Homestead, is entering the race for Florida agriculture commissioner. Porter, 58, is the second Democrat into the field, following South Florida environmentalist David Walker. Three high-profile and well-funded Republicans also are in the contest to succeed Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam: state Sen. Denise Grimsley of Lake Placid, state Rep. […]

Headlines

Rick Scott extends emergency orders for Puerto Rico evacuees

AG hopeful Ashley Moody banks eight more sheriff endorsements, up to 33 total

Supreme Court will take firefighter pay raise case

Fate of medical marijuana smoking ban now with judge

Privacy expert says CRC proposal could lead to government intrusion in Floridians’ lives

Jerusalem bill sparks Palestine-Israel conflict, assertion of terrorist threat

Attorney General candidates set first forum next month at Disney World

Southern Poverty Law Center demands more info on ICE deal with sheriffs

Carol Marbin Miller talks winning war of secrecy, truth in Lucy Morgan reporting award speech

Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter entering Agriculture Commissioner race