Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2018

Former public defender and lobbyist Karen Skyers announced via Twitter Tuesday that she is entering the race for Hillsborough-based House District 61. Skyers, a Democrat, joins Sharon Carter, Norman Harris, Dianne Hart and Byron Henry in the primary race. HD 61 is opening up in the fall due to Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw foregoing […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2018

A proposed constitutional amendment to give equal rights to crime victims won preliminary approval from the full Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on Monday. Commissioners voted 30-3 to send the measure (P96) to the panel’s Style and Drafting Committee for preparation as a ballot question. Hank Coxe, Arthenia Joyner and Bob Solari voted against it. The proposal still faces a final […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 5, 2018

Democrat Bob Buesing is giving it another go in Senate District 18, and he’s planning a Tuesday campaign kickoff to get the ball rolling on his 2018 run against incumbent Tampa Republican Sen. Dana Young. The event will be held at Mise en Place, 442 West Grand Central Ave., and is set to start at […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2018

A proposal to allow the automatic restoration of non-violent ex-felons’ voting rights cleared a Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) committee on Thursday. The CRC’s Ethics and Elections Committee OK’d the measure (P7) by a 6-2 vote. “If successful, Smith and Joyner’s proposal would bring Florida in line with most of the states in the nation that already allow […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 12, 2018

“Good Americans” should start “a Twitter war” with President Donald Trump over his comment that the U.S. shouldn’t admit people from Haiti and other “shithole countries,” former Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner said Friday. Joyner, now a member of the state’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), appeared at a press conference of legislative Democrats to express their outrage […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2018

One of the state’s leading business lobbies is cheering the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have expanded the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. The Constitution Revision Commission‘s Judicial Committee on Friday unanimously voting against the measure (P23). “This unnecessary proposal would have opened up not only Florida businesses, but private citizens as well, […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

Business interests brought out a panoply of former state officials, judges and others Tuesday to heap criticism on a proposed state constitutional amendment to expand the right to bring environmental-related lawsuits. But one environmental advocate countered there was no potential for a “parade of horribles” to come out of the amendment. The Florida Chamber of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 2, 2017

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on Monday moved forward on two public proposals to amend the state’s governing document: One to close the “write-in loophole,” and another to repeal a provision on high speed rail. The next chance for commissioners to directly sponsor public proposals will be on Oct. 17, during another meeting of the full Commission. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 26, 2017

A group of clergy is asking the Constitution Revision Commission to adopt a proposal capping payday loan interest rates at 30 percent per year. The proposed constitutional amendment was filed last Friday, records show, by Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr. of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Proponents, who held a Tuesday news conference at the Capitol, […]

Scott PowersJune 6, 2017

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission now has a set of rules for how it might go about writing major changes to Florida’s Constitution. Those rules — addressing such matters as who will appoint committees, how proposals will move through committees, whether Florida’s Sunshine laws will cover everything — emerged from a sometimes chaotic debate in Orlando […]

Tag: Arthenia Joyner
Image via AP.

Karen Skyers enters race to succeed Sean Shaw in HD 61

‘Marsy’s Law’ wins initial OK as state constitutional amendment

Bob Buesing kicks-off challenge to Dana Young Tuesday

Voting rights proposal advanced by constitutional review board

It’s on: Former lawmaker declares ‘Twitter war’ on Trump

Thumbs down: Environmental constitutional amendment defeated

Business interests lambaste environmental amendment

Constitutional panel moves two public proposals

Faith leaders call for payday lending interest cap

After a seemingly rule-less meeting, constitution panel adopts rules