Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

The Senate’s alimony overhaul bill cleared its second review panel Wednesday, though it was again rushed through in the remaining minutes of a committee hearing. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the bill (SB 668), aimed of getting rid of “forever alimony,” on a 5-2 party-line vote. As in its first hearing in the Judiciary […]

Ryan RayFebruary 17, 2016

After nearly an hour of at times emotional debate on Wednesday, a Senate budget panel approved a controversial proposal to prohibit public funds from going to any facility that provides abortions. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services passed SB 1722 by a party-line vote Wednesday morning, with the eight-member panel’s three Democrats voting in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2016

A contentious bill meant to remake what critics call Florida’s antiquated alimony law and end “forever alimony” was cleared Tuesday by a Senate panel. The Judiciary Committee, the first of its three review panels, OK’d the measure (SB 668) by a 6-4 vote after impassioned comment for and against the proposal, even after speakers were limited […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 9, 2016

A bill that would restrict abortion providers is heading to the House floor. The measure (HB 1411) cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Colleen Burton, a Lakeland Republican, requires doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at a local hospital. The bill also prohibits state agencies, […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A bill aimed at effectively ending permanent alimony is heading to the House floor after clearing its final committee of reference on Thursday. The Judiciary Committee approved the measure (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, by a 14-3 vote. Chiefly, the measure limits judges’ discretion in awarding alimony by providing guidelines for how much an ex-spouse should get and […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

The House bill aimed at overhauling the state’s alimony rules is coming before its last committee before possibly heading to the floor. The Judiciary Committee will consider the bill (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, on Thursday. Among other things, Burton’s bill “effectively end(s) permanent alimony” by limiting judges’ discretion in awarding alimony after a […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 18, 2016

When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday to begin the second week of the nine-week Legislative Session, the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal that divides the Tampa and Polk County legislative delegations. House Bill 815, sponsored by Tampa Republican Shawn Harrison, would move the 2nd District Court of Appeal from Lakeland to the Tampa […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 10, 2016

They don’t get as much attention as policy debates that gum up and even fracture legislative sessions (think Medicaid expansion), but a slew of proposed legal-related changes will be before legislators this year – some new, some old standbys. For instance, the Legislature will try to overhaul Florida’s alimony law for at least the third time in recent […]

Jim RosicaNovember 18, 2015

A House bill aimed at overhauling and streamlining the state’s alimony rules cleared its first panel Wednesday, despite a retired judge telling lawmakers “bad things are going to happen to nice people” if the measure becomes law. The Civil Justice Subcommittee OK’d the bill (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, […]

Mitch PerryJuly 21, 2015

In advance of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) national meeting which begins Wednesday in San Diego, the good government group Common Cause Florida is calling on two state lawmakers to disclose any corporate or special interest funding that is paying for state lawmakers to travel to the west coast for the meeting. ALEC meetings place business executives with […]

Tag: Colleen Burton

Alimony bill clears 2nd committee in Senate

Senate panel advances bill to defund abortion providers

Amid jeers, Senate alimony bill clears first committee

Bill restricting abortion providers now headed to House floor

House alimony reform clears final panel

Alimony bill back before House lawmakers

Bill to move 2nd District Court to Tampa riles Polk legislators

2016 Legislative Food Fights: Legal, judicial reforms again on lawmakers’ to-do list

Alimony overhaul bill clears first House panel

Seven Florida House Republicans attending ALEC conference this week