Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2016

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A former state Senator has signed on to represent the backers of a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling. Florida Supreme Court records show Miami attorney Dan Gelber filed a notice of appearance on behalf of Voters In Charge, the committee behind the amendment. Gelber, 55, also was Democratic leader when he served in the House and unsuccessfully […]

Jim RosicaMay 19, 2016

It’s not clear whether a proposed gambling-control amendment will help or hinder the state’s finances. A panel of state economists stalemated this week on the financial impact of the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference’s final report was hand-delivered to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Thursday. A summary reads: “The […]

Jim RosicaMay 11, 2016

The panel behind a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling again posted no new fundraising as of its April report. But Voters in Charge has nearly burned through the $195,000 given to it as seed money from the No Casinos anti-gambling expansion organization — awkwardly misspelled in a report as “No Cashinos.” The committee’s campaign finance report […]

Jim RosicaApril 27, 2016

If it’s approved, would a proposed constitutional amendment outlaw currently legal kinds of gambling? A panel of state economic analysts debated the question on Tuesday. The Financial Impact Estimating Conference, a slate of economists for the Legislature and executive branches, held a public workshop in Tallahassee on the Voter Control of Gambling amendment. It would “ensure that Florida […]

Jim RosicaApril 7, 2016

The nonprofit entity created to promote a legislatively proposed constitutional amendment on solar power announced its team members in a Thursday news release. Florida for Solar Inc. is a 501(c)(4) organization under federal tax law, meaning its purpose is “civic betterment and social improvements.” It “may further its purposes through lobbying” and “may engage in some political […]

Staff ReportsMarch 9, 2016

A proposed constitutional amendment on solar power passed the Legislature Wednesday and will be on the August ballot. The amendment (HJR 193), backed by Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, was approved by the Senate and House unanimously. “We have given the people of Florida an opportunity to have a voice on solar,” Brandes […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

A proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling has reported passing the signature threshold to merit consideration by the state’s highest court. The Voter Control of Gambling amendment has 69,336 signatures as of Monday morning, more than the 10 percent of total signatures needed to trigger Florida Supreme Court review. It’s the first step toward […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

The Tallahassee attorney for Earthjustice, a national environmental law organization, is calling a proposed state constitutional amendment on solar power “a disguised attempt to derail rooftop solar in Florida.” The Florida Supreme Court had scheduled oral arguments for the hotly contested proposal for 11 a.m. March 7 with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

A House initiative to place term limits on state Supreme Court justices and appellate judges was assigned to three committees of reference in the Senate late Tuesday: Judiciary, Ethics & Elections, and Rules. Under Senate rules, though, “Unless approved by the President, no committee shall meet after the fiftieth (50th) day of a regular session except the Rules Committee.” Tuesday was […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

A judicial term limits initiative that is stalled in the Senate barely passed out of the House Wednesday. The House approved the measure (HB 197) on a 76-38 vote. Because imposing term limits on appellate judges and justices requires changing the state constitution, it needed three-fifths of the House, or at least 72 votes. A […]

Tag: constitutional amendment
Now it's time for Florida to start cleaning up.

Dan Gelber will represent anti-gambling amendment

Economists uncertain of gambling amendment’s effect

Gambling amendment group not fundraising

Economists puzzle over proposed gambling amendment

“Florida for Solar” forms to back constitutional amendment

Legislative-backed solar amendment cleared for ballot

Gambling amendment passes first signature threshold

Earthjustice strikes back against Smart Solar group

Judicial term limits bill likely dead in Senate

House passes judicial term limits in close vote