Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday rescheduled oral arguments for a hotly-contested proposed constitutional amendment on solar power. Arguments are now set for 11 a.m. on March 7, the court announced, with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among other requirements, proposed amendments to the state constitution must be OK’d by the court to ensure they cover only […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 4, 2016

A measure that would impose term limits on Florida’s appellate judges has cleared its last House committee, despite critics’ warnings that it will cause a brain drain on the bench. The bill (HB 197) cleared the Judiciary Committee Thursday by a vote of 11-6, sending it to the full Florida House of Representatives. To take effect, it must […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 19, 2016

The head of an anti-gambling expansion group Tuesday announced a three-front war as lawmakers prepare to consider a sweeping deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that he said could “lead to the largest gambling expansion in state history.” John Sowinski, president of the Orlando-based No Casinos, told reporters he plans a legislative, legal and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2016

People United for Medical Marijuana, the political committee backing a push to get medical marijuana on the 2016 ballot, raised more than $500,000 dollars in December. The committee, which runs the United for Care Campaign, raised $571,236 in December. That one-month haul means the organization has raised more than $9.1 million. The committee received hundreds […]

Jim RosicaDecember 17, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court has approved a proposed constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana in the state, according to an opinion released Thursday. The court on Thursday found that the amendment “embraces a single subject” and that the ballot title and summary and financial impact statement passed legal muster. “We therefore approve the proposed amendment and Financial Impact […]

Jim RosicaDecember 11, 2015

Three Florida nurseries on Friday filed the first protests over the state’s licensing of growers of medical marijuana, according to the state Department of Health. The department confirmed receiving filings from TropiFlora of Sarasota, San Felasco Nurseries of Gainesville and Perkins Nursery of LaBelle by the close of business. Rejected nurseries have until Monday to file protests over the state’s award […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A medical marijuana lobbyist said a half-dozen Florida nurseries that had applied but failed to become growers “are thinking seriously about protesting” the state’s license-award process. Taylor Patrick Biehl told FloridaPolitics.com on Thursday that he and fellow lobbyist Jeff Sharkey had “spoken with seven or eight nurseries and a variety of administrative lawyers about the protest possibilities, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A bill that would allow for stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida unanimously cleared its second Senate review panel. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the measure (SB 460) on Thursday. State Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican behind the bill, said it was aimed at allowing stronger but still non-smokeable marijuana for […]

Jim RosicaNovember 3, 2015

A measure that would impose term limits on Florida’s appellate-level judges cleared its first House committee on Tuesday. The House Civil Justice subcommittee approved the bill (HB 197) on an 8-5 vote largely along party lines, though one Republican, George Moraitis of Fort Lauderdale, voted against it. State Rep. John Wood, the Winter Haven Republican sponsoring […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

A proposed constitutional amendment to give voters more control over gambling was filed Tuesday. The Voters in Charge political committee submitted the proposed language, available on the Division of Elections website. The committee is chaired by John Sowinski, who also heads the Orlando-based No Casinos anti-gambling expansion organization. The amendment would “ensure that Florida voters […]

Tag: constitutional amendment
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Supreme Court reschedules oral argument for ‘Smart Solar’ amendment

Judicial term limits OK’d by final House committee

No Casinos promises multifront war on gambling

Committee backing medical marijuana amendment raises more than $500K in December

Fla. Supreme Court green lights medical pot amendment

3 Florida nurseries file protests over medical marijuana licenses

Nurseries gearing up for pot protests, lobbyist says

Bill allowing stronger medical marijuana advances in House

Term limits for appellate judges OK’d by House panel

Group files proposed anti-gambling expansion amendment