Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2016

Undoubtedly, we’ll hear in the next week (and into the fall) about how Florida is so important nationally because it’s a “Purple State” that reflects the views of our nation about diversity. Yet on far too many issues our state is severely conservative, to quote Mitt Romney. Take its laws on how we decide who qualifies […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 29, 2016

Police would have to charge people with a crime before they can seize their money, cars, homes or other property under bills that are now ready for votes on the House and Senate floors. Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, the last of three stops before it […]

Associated PressFebruary 26, 2016

A Florida appeals court on Friday ordered the enforcement of a state law that requires women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. The 1st District Court of Appeal lifted an injunction that blocked the waiting period from taking effect. In its decision, the three-judge panel contended that a circuit judge did not have […]

Tag: ACLU

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

Mitch Perry Report for 3.4.16 — After being forced, Legislature finally moves on death penalty law

Florida could require arrest before police seize property

Florida’s 24-hour abortion waiting period to take effect