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Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Before the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convened its final public hearing Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Gov. Rick Scott joined others to support Marsy’s Law for Florida. A proposed constitutional amendment would grant equal rights to defendants and convicted criminals, and to victims and their family members. “It’s very important that Marsy’s Law becomes the law of the land,” Scott said. Most states […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

[Ed. Note — This story, first posted Thursday, was updated Friday.] Lawmakers on Thursday included a provision to withhold more than $1.9 million in Department of Health salaries and benefits in the final 2018-19 state budget until regulators fully implement medical marijuana. The proviso language, which “qualifies or restricts a specific appropriation,” means certain Health officials will get […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has set a one-day trial for May 16 in the legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. But in her order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said she will first hear the state’s motion for summary judgment at 10 o’clock that morning; summary judgments allow parties to win a case without a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2018

The House and Senate gambling bills were heard separately Friday, but one lawmaker already is folding his hand. “The chances of a gaming bill passing this session are none,” said Rep. Joe Abruzzo, a Boynton Beach Democrat. “Let’s go home.” A strike-all amendment had been OK’d on the Senate’s legislation (SB 840) in the Appropriations […]

Scott PowersFebruary 19, 2018

The League of Women Voters of Florida led a coalition of groups responding to last week’s Parkland mass shooting by urging the Florida Constitution Revision Commission to take up a proposed amendment to ban assault weapons. But at the commission’s second public hearing on its 37 proposals, held at the Maxwell C. King Center in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2018

A Senate bill to bar the use of steroids in racing greyhounds cleared another committee Wednesday, as a poison-pill amendment was withdrawn at the last minute. The measure (SB 674) was approved by the Agriculture Committee on a 8-1 vote, with only Delray Beach Democrat Kevin Rader opposed. Rader filed and withdrew an amendment that would have allowed […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

Rep. Jason Brodeur is telling the state’s top health officials to get to work on medical marijuana—or they won’t get paid. The Sanford Republican has offered an amendment to the House’s 2018-19 budget proposal that would freeze more than $1.9 million in salaries and benefits for the Department of Health‘s brass, including Secretary and state Surgeon General Celeste […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2018

What looks like a loss at first blush is a win for John Morgan in his legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. A Tallahassee judge on Friday granted the state’s motion to dismiss as to People United for Medical Marijuana, the association-plaintiff, saying it didn’t have the legal standing to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

An attorney arguing to overturn Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana says if a constitutional amendment doesn’t say it can’t be smoked, then lawmakers and regulators can’t stand in the way of patients who want to. “If you’re the Legislature, why would you pick out smoking and say no? Because this (amendment) allows it,” attorney Jon Mills told […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 23, 2018

House Speaker Richard Corcoran won’t give an over-under for chances of success for comprehensive gambling legislation this Session. When asked at a Tuesday press conference, the Land O’ Lakes Republican said: “It’s somewhere between 1 percent and 99 percent certainty.” The House has long been averse to proposals that could be seen as expanding gambling. […]

Tag: constitutional amendment
A rendering of the Trump Doral International Towers by Doral-based Pascual Perez Kiliddjian Starr Architects & Planners.

Backers push for Marsy’s Law—a crime victims’ ‘bill of rights’

Legislature slashing Health Dep’t pay because of medical marijuana delays

Judge sets trial for medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case

Sucker bet? Gambling bills on the move in both chambers

League of Women Voters urges gun ban amendment, Carlos Beruff dismisses it

Greyhound steroids ban clears another committee

Jason Brodeur to Health Dep’t: No pay till progress on marijuana

Judge allows medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case to go forward

Fate of medical marijuana smoking ban now with judge

Richard Corcoran: No predictions on gambling legislation this year