Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 7, 2018

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The 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday agreed to “pass through” to the state’s Supreme Court a case on whether a proposed amendment to end greyhound racing should stay on the November ballot. A unanimous three-judge panel said the matter was “of great public importance,” needing “immediate resolution … due to time constraints related to the pending election and ballot preparation […]

Jim RosicaAugust 3, 2018

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Lara Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, is joining Attorney General Pam Bondi for a fundraiser to benefit the campaign to pass a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing in Florida. Trump, a former television host and producer and an animal rights supporter, is married to Eric Trump, the president’s second son. Trump and […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

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The state has filed a notice of appeal to a circuit judge’s decision that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing is “defective” and can’t go on the ballot. Edward M. Wenger, the state’s chief deputy solicitor general, filed notice (posted at bottom) Thursday afternoon — one day after Circuit Judge Karen Gievers ruled […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

‘Don’t give up,’ supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing are telling volunteers. A Tallahassee judge on Wednesday ruled that Amendment 13 shouldn’t go on the November ballot, calling it “outright ‘trickeration‘ ” — which opponents have since turned into a social media hashtag and rallying cry. Among other things, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ 27-page order said the amendment’s […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2018

Saying it “hide(s) the ball” and calling it “outright ‘trickeration,’ ” a Tallahassee judge has ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at ending dog racing shouldn’t go on the November ballot. But in a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi – who supports a dog-racing ban – said her office “will appeal this decision immediately and seek […]

Jim RosicaJune 29, 2018

A group that supports a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit betting on greyhound racing won’t be allowed to enter a case against the ban, a Tallahassee judge ruled Friday. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers denied a motion to intervene from the Committee to Protect Dogs, but said it could file a friend-of-the-court brief, as can the Animal Law […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2018

In an act of ‘humble plagiarism,’ Joe Redner‘s attorney is following the lead of John Morgan in asking the state Supreme Court to take over litigation on medical marijuana. In a filing posted Monday, attorney Luke Lirot “suggests” that the state’s highest court take over deciding whether Redner — the Tampa strip club mogul — can grow and juice […]

Joe HendersonMay 31, 2018

At some point maybe 10 or 20 years from now, the contortions used by the state of Florida to stall the use of medical marijuana will probably seem pretty silly. Eventually, the drug 72 percent of voters approved for use by people suffering such hideous diseases as HIV, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, […]

Jim RosicaMay 29, 2018

Saying “this madness has to end,” Orlando attorney John Morgan called on Gov. Rick Scott to drop the hastily-filed appeal of a decision allowing medical marijuana to be smoked in Florida. Morgan spoke at a Tuesday news conference that was streamed live on Facebook. In a 22-page order released Friday, Tallahassee Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said […]

Jim RosicaMay 26, 2018

Quoting George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, a Florida judge has ruled that the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana is unconstitutional. In a 22-page order released Friday, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said that the ban on smoking is “invalid because it conflicts” with the constitutional amendment on medicinal cannabis approved by statewide voters in 2016. A one-day […]

Tag: Circuit Judge Karen Gievers
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Appeals court hands off dog racing ban challenge to Supreme Court

Lara Trump, president’s daughter-in-law, joins fight for dog-racing ban

State appeals decision to keep dog-racing ban off ballot

Dog-racing ban supporters say they’re still ‘full steam ahead’

Judge strikes down dog-racing ban, calling it ‘outright trickeration’

Lawsuit over dog-racing ban heads to court

Joe Redner also wants Supreme Court to decide on medical marijuana

Joe Henderson: State’s medical marijuana fight is past point of silly

John Morgan calls on Rick Scott to drop medical marijuana appeal

Judge strikes down ban on smoking medical marijuana