Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2018

Progressive groups now are suing to stop a state nominating panel from recommending candidates to the Florida Supreme Court, saying it “lacks the authority to make its nominations before the vacancies occur.” The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed Friday evening to halt the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Earlier Friday, […]

Michael MolineOctober 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. ”In this case, the ballot title and summary comply with the statutory word limitations. Additionally, the title and […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerSeptember 30, 2018

While the nation was fixated on the drama surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, Floridians were reminded this week that they have their own Supreme Court controversy in triplicate. Gov. Rick Scott reasserted his claim in court that he has the power, before he leaves office in January, to appoint replacements for […]

Danny McAuliffeSeptember 20, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott may have acted beyond his constitutional authority last week when he jump-started the Judicial Nominating Commission’s process of vetting potential justices to fill three soon-to-be vacancies on the state Supreme Court, new legal action contends. In a writ of quo warranto filed with the Supreme Court on Thursday, Common Cause and the League […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission on Wednesday announced it would start accepting applications to fill three upcoming vacancies. Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy A. Quince face mandatory retirement on the same day that term-limited Republican Gov. Rick Scott will leave office. Under the state constitution, judges and justices face mandatory retirement at […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott moved Tuesday to defuse litigation over his authority to replace the Florida Supreme Court’s liberal wing by offering to confer with his successor on candidates to fill the seats of Fred Lewis, Peggy Quince and Barbara Pariente. Scott had said he planned to announce their replacements on Jan. 7, his last day in office, which […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court will now consider whether general election voters will get to see a constitutional amendment ending live greyhound racing. Lawyers for the state and the Florida Greyhound Association gave argument Wednesday before the state’s seven justices. As usual, the court offered no clue when it might rule. The association challenged the amendment, saying […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 6, 2018

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A proposal to expand the number of prisoners on death row who could have their sentences reviewed by a jury was approved by a Senate committee Tuesday. The issue dates back to early 2016 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s death penalty was unconstitutional, as it allowed judges to make the final decision […]

Jim RosicaNovember 29, 2017

The “hot mic” has gone cold. In a one-sentence order, the Florida Supreme Court denied Gov. Rick Scott’s request to disqualify Justice Barbara Pariente from a pending case over his judicial appointment power. “The respondent’s motion to disqualify Justice Pariente is hereby denied,” it said, without elaboration. Scott “expects all judges to be fair and impartial,” […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2017

“There is no there there” in Gov. Rick Scott‘s complaint that Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente is biased against him, say the plaintiffs in a case over his judicial appointment power. The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause Florida responded Tuesday to Scott’s motion for disqualification against Pariente. It was filed earlier this month by […]

Tag: Barbara Pariente

Order in the (Supreme) Court: Suit aims to short-circuit nominating process

Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language

Forget Brett Kavanaugh; Florida facing its own ‘Supreme’ drama — in triplicate

Rick Scott’s coordination with justice nominating panel unconstitutional, groups argue

Apply within: Panel starts process to replace Supreme Court justices

Rick Scott says he’ll consult his successor on Supreme Court vacancies

High court hears argument on dog racing ban

Bill to expand the number of retroactive death penalty cases advances

Barbara Pariente to stay on Rick Scott judicial appointments case

Plaintiffs pooh-pooh Rick Scott’s bias concern in judicial appointments case