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Staff ReportsAugust 2, 2017

The Congressional Leadership Fund has wasted no time in lobbing its first attack after Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who announced this week she would challenge Republican Carlos Curbelo in Florida’s 26th Congressional District. The super PAC, which has the backing of the entire House Republican leadership, sent an email Wednesday saying Mucarsel-Powell is “slowly becoming a […]

Staff ReportsAugust 1, 2017

Chester Spellman, the long-time chief executive officer of Volunteer Florida, has appointed by the White House to serve as the director of AmeriCorps for the Corporation for National and Community Service. “I believe there is no greater calling than the calling to serve,” said Spellman. “I am deeply honored to be appointed by the White […]

Peter SchorschJuly 31, 2017

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Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire is leaving Florida Blue to promote his new book on political polarization, “Dead Center,” to be published this fall. “You only get one chance to do it right on something like this, so I’m going to go all-out to promote it and see where it leads,” he told FloridaPolitics.com. […]

Gary FineoutJuly 31, 2017

Florida has roughly 600 inmates whose life sentences for homicide are potentially affected by court rulings mandating a second look at the punishment of juvenile offenders, but most still await a shot at resentencing. Two U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the latest last year, concluded that it’s unconstitutional to impose mandatory life sentences without a chance […]

Phil AmmannJuly 31, 2017

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced four appointments to both judicial courts and state boards. 12th Judicial Circuit Court Scott began by appointing Judge Charles Sniffen to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, which covers DeSoto Manatee and Sarasota counties. Sniffen, 44, of Parrish, is currently a county judge for Manatee County. He previously worked in […]

Jim RosicaJuly 31, 2017

As of last Friday’s deadline, three more former lawmakers applied for the now-empty seat on the Public Service Commission vacated when Jimmy Patronis stepped down to become the state’s new CFO. Applying for the seat were former state Sen. Greg Evers, a Baker (Okaloosa County) Republican; former state Rep. Dave Murzin, a Pensacola Republican; and former state Rep. Ritch […]

Peter SchorschJuly 26, 2017

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If you thought the GOP primary in the special election in Senate District 40 was expensive, wait until you see how much is raised and spent in the general election. The day after Jose Felix Diaz defeated Alex Diaz de la Portilla in a contentious campaign, the Republican State Leadership Committee, an organization of Republican […]

Associated PressJuly 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wants the state’s highway patrol troopers, wildlife officers and law-enforcement agents to get another pay raise. Scott announced the proposal Wednesday during a visit to a Florida Highway Patrol station in Jacksonville. This year legislators agreed to give the state’s nearly 4,000 sworn-law enforcement officers a 5 percent raise. Scott wants to […]

Staff ReportsJuly 26, 2017

Ben Crump is breaking up the band. Crump, a civil-rights attorney who has represented the families of Martin Lee Anderson and Trayvon Martin, Wednesday announced he’s leaving longtime friend and law partner Daryl Parks and teaming up with Orlando mega-lawyer John Morgan to open “Ben Crump Law.” The new firm “will focus on civil rights, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 26, 2017

The ballot is set. More than 26,000 voters in Miami-Dade County cast ballots in the Senate District 40 and House District 116 elections. And when polls closed Tuesday night, there were few surprises — at least when in the race to replace Sen. Frank Artiles in Florida Senate. Rep. Jose Felix Diaz handily defeated former […]

Influence

Email insights: Congressional Leadership Fund targets Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in CD 26

Personnel note: Chester Spellman tapped to lead AmeriCorps

Jason Altmire to depart Florida Blue in advance of new book

Few Florida juvenile lifers resentenced despite U.S. mandate

Rick Scott announces four judicial, board appointments

More former lawmakers apply to replace Jimmy Patronis on PSC

Cavalry already on its way to Jose Felix Diaz as RSLC commits $100K to SD 40 race

Gov. Scott proposes $30M for state law enforcement recruitment, retention

Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump to form own law firm

What politicos are saying about Tuesday’s election results in Senate District 40