Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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. […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Mitch PerryDecember 2, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court gave its blessing gave its blessing Wednesday to a congressional districts map that was picked by Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis back in October. The high court had ruled in July that the Legislature gerrymandered eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts in violation of the 2012 Fair District amendments. […]

Ryan RayNovember 5, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Thursday that former Miami Sen. Alex Diaz de La Portilla was not in “direct criminal contempt” of the court when he failed to deliver a dog he owned with his wife and appear for court amid an ongoing divorce case. The high court ruled in an 18-page opinion Diaz de la Portilla […]

Jim RosicaOctober 29, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a more subjective legal test for one type of product liability cases brought in the state. The court, in a case against the Union Carbide Corp., reinstated a $6.6 million judgment for a man who said he developed a form of cancer after exposure to asbestos that the company made and […]

James CallMarch 4, 2015

At this pace, Florida’s political class may be exhausted by the end of March when budget writers begin deciding what will be left in and what will be taken out of a $77 billion dollar state spending plan. The state Capitol wakened Wednesday with word that Gov. Rick Scott had penned a commentary calling on […]

Ryan RayJanuary 29, 2015

Republican state Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto of Ft. Myers has filed legislation to change course in a difficult area of state law — the legal status of child abuse evidence recorded unbeknownst to the abuser. A recent Florida Supreme Court opinion overruled the conviction of a Lee County man found guilty of sexually abusing his stepdaughter, finding that […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 17, 2014

We Americans owe our civil liberties not only to the statesmen such as James Madison who wrote them into the Constitution or to the lawyers and judges who have upheld them. We also have people to thank who we wouldn’t necessarily want as friends or neighbors. They’re the ones accused of crimes – and sometimes […]

Tag: Charles Canady
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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

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

Charlie Crist hails Florida Supreme Court’s approval of new congressional map

State high court rules Alex DLP not in direct contempt for defying court in divorce case

State Supreme Court upholds “consumer expectations” test in product liability cases

The day that was in Florida politics — March 4

Lizbeth Benacquisto introduces bill to tweak evidence standards in child abuse cases

Martin Dyckman: Bad people who helped make good law