Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2016

A host of groups and individuals – led by the Florida ACLU – have filed a lawsuit in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Florida challenging a state law that requires groups to register with the state and pay a fee if they advise or help women seek abortions. The lawsuit also challenges a […]

Mitch PerryDecember 8, 2016

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On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel traveled to Trump Tower to hand deliver a letter signed by 17 big-city Democratic mayors urging President-elect Donald Trump to reconsider his vow to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the provision that protects young, so-called Dreamers who came to the country before the age of 16 from deportation and allows them to study […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 8, 2016

It’s been overlooked for years, but criminal justice reform could be coming down the pike. Sen. Jeff Brandes said he hopes to make reforming the system a top priority, but told the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists it could take years before reforms are achieved. Calls for reform aren’t new, but they are growing louder. […]

Mitch PerryAugust 29, 2016

Tampa Bay Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor expressed disappointment Monday that only 13 percent of eligible voters in Hillsborough County have voted by mail or at the polls heading into Election Day on Tuesday, the last day to vote in this year’s primary election. “We can do a lot better,” said Castor, who will face Republican Christine Quinn when she runs for her seat […]

Mitch PerryAugust 1, 2016

Florida is one of only three states in the nation where felons and ex-felons permanently lose their right to vote, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures. So on the last day to register to vote in the Aug. 30 primary election, advocates throughout the Sunshine State called for a repeal of that law Monday. “The voting […]

Scott PowersMay 12, 2016

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a challenge Thursday to block Marion County School District’s rule forbidding transgender students from using the restroom for the gender to which they identify. The complaint, filed Thursday with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, contends that Marion schools’ rule violates the civil rights of students who are transgender. […]

Martin DyckmanApril 29, 2016

Any law that invades the privacy and liberties of American citizens should come into court facing a heavy burden of proof. Does it serve a compelling public interest? Is it the most reasonable — that is, the least restrictive — approach? That’s doubly true in Florida, whose state constitution contains an explicit right to privacy. […]

Martin DyckmanApril 28, 2016

Any law that invades the privacy and liberties of American citizens should come into court facing a heavy burden of proof. Does it serve a compelling public interest? Is it the most reasonable — that is, the least restrictive — approach? That’s doubly true in Florida, whose state constitution contains an explicit right to privacy. […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2016

A North Florida school board approved a measure on Tuesday that will limit restrooms to students based on their birth sex, not their gender identity. The Marion County School Board approved the ban, which took effect Wednesday morning. The decision came despite a warning from the American Civil Liberties Union that the ban is unlawful, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 31, 2016

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(Updated from Thursday morning). Gov. Rick Scott signed the omnibus anti-abortion bill HB 1411 Friday, enacting a new law that denies public resources to women’s health clinics that provide abortion services. The measure doesn’t eliminate state funding of abortion, a tactic that’s been illegal for decades. It does, however, now block money for preventive medical care at the same facilities […]

Tag: ACLU
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

ACLU files suit challenging Florida law requiring those who advise a woman considering an abortion to register with the state

Bob Buckhorn says, if asked, he would have signed immigration letter to Donald Trump

Jeff Brandes turns attention to criminal justice reform

On eve of primary election, Kathy Castor laments low turnout so far in Hillsborough County

Advocates call for repeal of Florida’s ban on automatic restoration of voting rights for ex-felons

ACLU challenges Marion County schools’ transgender bathroom rule

Martin Dyckman: Impose a delay on tummy tucks; they’re more dangerous than abortions

Martin Dyckman: Impose a delay on tummy tucks; they’re more dangerous than abortions

Marion County School Board blocks transgender kids from choosing restroom

Planned Parenthood calls Florida’s latest anti-abortion bill extremely dangerous