Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 14, 2018

The committee backing a 2018 ballot initiative that would automatically restore voting rights to Florida’s nonviolent ex-cons brought in more than $400,000 in contributions last month. Floridians for a Fair Democracy received numerous small-dollar contributions from Floridians, though nearly all the $409,220 raised last month came through just three checks. At the top of the […]

Danny McAuliffeMay 21, 2018

A group of activists converged on Tallahassee on Monday to share far-reaching ideals including but not limited to abolishing capitalism, dismantling U.S. and Israeli intervention in Palestine, and giving southwest U.S. land to Mexico. The rally cries came on the first floor of the state Capitol, and while most seemed unrealistic — at least in […]

Danny McAuliffeMay 4, 2018

For some, Friday is a special day. The date marks the 150-year anniversary of Florida’s constitutionalized disenfranchisement of voters, a Jim Crow-era policy that’s still relevant in 2018, as the state revokes voting rights for convicted felons — even after they’ve completed their sentences. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Florida is one […]

Drew WilsonMay 2, 2018

Nearly three quarters of Florida voters say they would support a ballot amendment to restore voting rights to ex-cons, a new poll found. The survey, conducted jointly by North Star Opinion Research and EMC Research, found that supermajority support for the measure regardless of the political party. “This amendment has the strong bipartisan support needed […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2018

The man behind a proposed constitutional amendment to restore ex-cons’ voting rights wants voters — not “politicians” — to decide the issue. Desmond Meade, who’s backing this year’s “Voting Restoration Amendment,” on Wednesday said an appellate court should issue a “stay” in a separate but related federal lawsuit on restoring felons’ voting rights. The proposal, which […]

Peter SchorschMarch 28, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham said Tuesday that Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet need to bring back the voting rights restoration process implemented by Gov. Reubin Askew and used by her father, Gov. Bob Graham. Graham’s demand came after a federal judge blocked Florida’s “fatally flawed” process of restoring voting rights and gave Scott […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 12, 2018

Good news in a new survey of Florida registered voters for Amendment Four, the “Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative.” At least in the early going, there is broad based support for the concept that felons (sans murderers and those convicted of sexual crimes) should have their rights restored once they serve their time. 71 […]

Michael MolineApril 20, 2017

Senate implementing legislation for last year’s solar energy referendum passed its final committee test Thursday, when the Appropriations Committee voted its unanimous approval. The bill by St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes would implement $54.5 million in annual solar breaks on local taxes, approved by Florida voters via Amendment 4 in August. SB 90, supported by environmental […]

Staff ReportsApril 13, 2017

A Senate panel approved a bill by St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes that would implement solar tax breaks approved by Florida voters in last year. More than 70 percent of Florida voters backed Amendment 4 in August, which makes it so the increased value of a home due to renewable energy improvements such as solar […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 7, 2017

A Senate panel OK’d a bill Tuesday to implement Amendment 4, which exempts solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes in Florida. The Senate Communications, Energy & Public Utilities Committee voted unanimously to approved the bill (SB 90). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, excepts solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes […]

Tag: Amendment 4
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Committee backing felon rights restoration raised $400K in May

Felon rights restoration on horizon for Poor People’s Campaign

On disenfranchisement anniversary, voting rights activists push for Amendment 4

Voters overwhelmingly support felon voting rights amendment

Let voters decide on felons’ voting rights, advocate says

Gwen Graham: Rick Scott and Cabinet should take a page from Reubin Askew

Poll indicates broad support for felon voting rights restoration initiative

Appropriations Committee vote sends solar tax break bill to the Senate floor

Jeff Brandes wants to keep renewable energy bill clean

Amendment 4 implementing bill clears first Senate committee