Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

William PatrickFebruary 20, 2017

Florida’s state lawmakers increasingly are embracing criminal justice reform policies that break with the state’s “tough on crime” past. But a sea change could be in the works. But a sea change could be in the works. Last year, Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and the GOP-controlled legislature approved one of the most far-reaching civil asset […]

William PatrickJanuary 23, 2017

It’s a vicious circle: Poor people who can’t afford their court-related costs and penalties incur escalating costs for not paying, further indebting them to the state. “It’s a circle that some people get stuck in and they can’t get out,” Christopher Torres, a Tallahassee defense attorney and former Florida assistant attorney general, told Watchdog.org. Compounding the problem is […]

Ryan RayMarch 3, 2016

A proposal to stop law enforcement officials from wantonly confiscating Floridians’ property was amended and discussed in the Florida Senate on Thursday. The proposal – SB 1044 by Sen. Jeff Brandes – got a final tuneup before heading to the Senate floor for a full vote, which is scheduled for Friday. The St. Petersburg Republican introduced four […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 25, 2015

As the 2015 Florida legislative session prepares to commence, we have reached out to legislators in the House and Senate to get their responses to a series of questions. Today’s installment from Northeast Florida features Republican power broker Sen. Aaron Bean. He represents Nassau County and parts of Duval as well, and serves on myriad […]

Task force would seek to remake Florida’s criminal justice system

Proposed legislation could break the cycle of debt for many caught in Florida’s legal system

Senate tees up civil asset forfeiture bill for floor vote

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Previewing the 2015 legislative session with Aaron Bean