Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jac VerSteegJuly 20, 2015

A federal judge’s comments last week while handing down a tough sentence provide more evidence that, when facing criminal sex charges it’s really good to be rich and connected. Calling the convicted defendant’s actions “horrific,” U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra, presiding in West Palm Beach, last week sentenced Dontavious Blake to 27 years in prison. […]

Guest AuthorJuly 20, 2015

With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on marriage for gay couples, Florida leaders have an important decision to make when it comes to our national and international reputation. Will we be a state that embraces equality and fairness or will we be seen as a state that resists progress and shuns diversity? The Supreme Court […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 20, 2015

None of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices has ever had the gut-wrenching experience of looking another person in the face to say, “I sentence you to die.” They have passed on or passed up hundreds of capital appeals, but that’s far removed from having to impose a death sentence at trial. “It’s hard to […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2015

During the Lenny Curry budget address Monday morning, much was said about the capital improvement program. The rhetoric soared. As Florida Politics reported: “Our capital improvement program,” the mayor said, “has a focus on economic development,” including the port and work for our local work force. Infrastructure and public works; also an issue. Capital projects are […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2015

It was on. Then it was off. And now it’s back on. The endless summer of trying to get a medical marijuana moratorium passed in Duval County continues Tuesday, with two committees, Rules and Land Use and Zoning, taking a hard look at Ordinance 2015-485, which would issue “a temporary moratorium on locating Cultivation and […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2015

As our Reggie Brown interview indicated, there is a mood of what Ronald Reagan called “trust but verify” regarding the new Lenny Curry budget. This mood permeated Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, as one might expect. Powerful local lobbyist Paul Harden pushed for action on a bill that would push $1.2M for one of his clients, Steve Leggett, for repayment […]

Melissa RossJuly 20, 2015

News that the FDLE will investigate red light camera firm Redflex is getting a major green light from activists lobbying against the company. “I’m ecstatic,” said Paul Henry, a retired Florida state trooper who has been lobbying against red light cameras in the state via the Liberty First Network. Henry made his remarks during an appearance […]

Phil AmmannJuly 20, 2015

Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly is holding a kickoff event Monday evening for his newly announced U.S. Senate campaign. Jolly, who now represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District, will hold a rally starting 7 p.m. at Alfano’s Restaurant in Clearwater, during the monthly meeting of the Republican Club of Greater Largo. Jolly is seeking the open […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2015

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Confirming statements he made exclusively to Florida Politics Sunday night, State Representative Lake Ray has made it official: He’s running for Duval County Republican Party chairman. “After much discussion with friends and family, I have made the decision to seek election as the Chair of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee (REC),” Ray said in a prepared […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2015

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Over the course of the day, we will have reactions from Jacksonville City Council members to the Lenny Curry budget. The first one we talked with, second term Councilman Reggie Brown, was cautiously optimistic. It was “presented well,” said Brown, who represents District 10 in the Northwest Quadrant,. The budget “was good on the surface,” yet “it’s […]

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Jac Wilder VerSteeg: If you’re a sex criminal, it pays to be rich

Patrick Geraghty: More support needed to pass state laws against workplace discrimination

Martin Dyckman: Looming narrow point of law could clear death row

Lenny Curry’s capital improvement plans are conservative, pragmatic

Medical cannabis on table in Jax Council committees Tuesday

Jax City Council: On Lenny Curry budget, “the devil’s in the details”

Foes of red light cameras “ecstatic” at FDLE investigation

Senate candidate David Jolly holding campaign kickoff in Clearwater Monday night

Lake Ray is all in for Duval REC chair race

Reggie Brown reacts to Lenny Curry budget presentation