Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 21, 2018

Two environmental groups may soon duel in court over an alleged unpaid debt from an effort to get a state constitutional amendment on the environment before voters in 2014. The Florida Wildlife Federation last week sued Florida Conservation Voters (FCV) over what it says is an outstanding amount of $72,500 from a loan the federation […]

Jim RosicaAugust 6, 2018

A Tallahassee judge eviscerated the state law on medical marijuana, declaring major provisions to be unconstitutional. The ruling came in a challenge brought by Florigrown, which had been denied a chance to become a “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC), or provider. The company is partly owned by Tampa strip club mogul and free speech advocate Joe Redner. […]

Staff ReportsJune 28, 2018

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Florida’s Legislature largely won in an appellate decision out Thursday in a case alleging lawmakers failed to match at least $384.5 million in private donations to universities and state colleges that were made under the state’s matching-gift laws. A unanimous panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Circuit Judge Charles Dodson overstepped when […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2018

As a May 25 deadline to complete discovery approaches, depositions continue in a lawsuit over how the state funds environmental conservation. Court dockets viewed Friday show a flurry of notices filed late last month for what are called “depositions duces tecum,” which compel witnesses to produce documents and be interviewed before a trial. Environmental advocacy groups […]

Drew WilsonDecember 1, 2017

Florida Democrats last week requested an injunction to move up the dates for a pair of South Florida special elections and the motion will get its day in court Dec. 7. The motion, filed in Leon County circuit court, aims to get new dates for special elections in House District 114 and Senate District 31. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 19, 2017

A Tallahassee judge has tossed out a lawsuit against Attorney General Pam Bondi that accused her of improperly coercing businesses to donate millions of dollars to unregistered charities. Those donations are part of settlements in consumer protection cases her office pursues under the “Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.” Orlando entrepreneur John D. Smith, who was investigated on a […]

Jim RosicaAugust 28, 2017

An Orlando entrepreneur is now demanding a jury trial in his suit against Attorney General Pam Bondi, in which he claims she forces businesses to donate millions of dollars to unregistered charities as part of settlements in consumer protection cases. John D. Smith, who invented Storm Stoppers plastic panels, marketed as a “plywood alternative” to protect windows during storms, […]

Jim RosicaAugust 14, 2017

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is asking a court to put an end to a lawsuit claiming she forces businesses to donate millions of dollars to unregistered charities as part of settlements in consumer protection cases. Bondi’s motion for summary judgment in part says “there is no statutory requirement that … settlements under (Florida law) […]

Tag: Circuit Judge Charles Dodson

Loan for Amendment 1 passage sparks suit

Judge declares parts of medical marijuana law unconstitutional

Appellate court mostly finds for lawmakers in matching-gift case

Amendment 1 lawsuit still moving toward trial

Democrats’ request for earlier special election gets court date

Court throws out charities lawsuit against Pam Bondi

Unregistered charities case against Pam Bondi back in court

Pam Bondi asks court to end lawsuit over charities