Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineApril 20, 2018

An appellate court on Thursday unanimously upheld a public records exemption covering the names and addresses of consumers who challenge the disposition of claims against homeowner or sinkhole insurance claims. Two law firms — Danahy & Murray, of Tampa, and Bennett Dennison, of Bradenton — had persuaded Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson to strike […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2018

Comparing marijuana to tomatoes, Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner‘s lawyer has asked an appellate court to allow his client to start growing and ‘juicing’ his own medical marijuana. In a 49-page filing, docketed Friday, attorney Luke Lirot told the 1st District Court of Appeal to leave in place a lower court’s decision that Redner, a 77-year-old […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2018

An appellate court is asking Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner why it shouldn’t “review” a lower court order that he can grow and make juice of medical marijuana. Outside lawyers for the Department of Health Tuesday appealed Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ decision to lift the ‘stay‘ on the case, making her ruling have an immediate effect. It […]

Michael MolineApril 18, 2018

On Wednesday, a state appellate court overruled a workers’ compensation judge who denied death and funeral benefits for an employee’s widow on the ground that he was intoxicated when he stepped into the path of a truck on U.S. 1. State law allows denial of benefits when a workplace death or injury is attributable to […]

Jim RosicaMarch 21, 2018

As expected, the Florida Lottery has withdrawn its appeal of a lawsuit over a multi-million dollar agency contract launched by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. A “notice of voluntary dismissal” was filed in the case at the 1st District Court of Appeal Wednesday. “The issues raised on appeal were mooted by the General Appropriations Act for […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2018

The lawyer that successfully represented a pig farmer who sued over the state’s ‘pregnant pig’ constitutional amendment now says another proposed amendment to do away with greyhound racing is legally sound. Broad & Cassel attorney M. Stephen Turner, who represented Florida pig farmer Stephen Basford, wrote an opinion letter – provided to Florida Politics Thursday – […]

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 2, 2018

Attorneys for the Florida Lottery and House Speaker Richard Corcoran have confirmed a tentative end to their fight over a multi-million dollar agency contract, saying in a Tuesday court filing they’re officially on a “pathway to resolution.” The sides filed a status report in the case, now with the 1st District Court of Appeal, asking that the lawsuit stay […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2017

Partly because they came late to the court this year, some high-profile cases before the Florida Supreme Court will remain unresolved by the close of 2017. As of this writing, the court’s weekly opinion release was going to be on holiday hiatus until Jan. 11, though “out-of-calendar releases” are still possible, a spokesman said. Here are a few of those pending […]

Jim RosicaNovember 2, 2017

The Florida Lottery and the House of Representatives have told an appellate court they’re “on a pathway to resolution” regarding a pending lawsuit over the agency’s $700 million contract for new equipment. But the settlement in question may require legislative approval, a filing in the case now suggests. The parties filed a status report with the 1st […]

Court OKs open records exemption for insurance claim disputes

You say marijuana, I say tomato: Joe Redner keeps fighting for ‘home grow’

Appellate court will review Joe Redner ‘home grow’ marijuana case

Appeal court: Evidence didn’t prove worker was drunk when hit by a truck on U.S. 1

Lottery ends appeal over multi-million dollar contract

Greyhound racing ban passes legal muster, ‘pregnant pig’ lawyer says

Supreme Court will take firefighter pay raise case

Lottery lawsuit on ‘pathway to resolution,’ new filing says

High-profile Florida Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end

Lottery, House close to settling suit over $700M contract