Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 18, 2016

Calling all constitutional aficionados: Your service is requested. Gov. Rick Scott Thursday opened the application process for the 2017-18 Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which meets once every 20 years. “Appointees will learn firsthand what issues and potential changes are most important to our families in order to best make these impactful decisions,” Scott said in a statement. As […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment on solar power now say they have 1 million signatures, further ensuring the question will be on the 2016 ballot. “More than 1 million Florida voters have gone on record in support of our Smart Solar amendment,” Consumers for Smart Solar co-chair Dick Batchelor said in a prepared statement released Wednesday. “We are […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2015

A proposed constitutional amendment has crossed the 500,000 signatures line on its way to being approved for voter consideration on the 2016 ballot. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” As of Tuesday morning, it had reported 513,375 valid signatures, according to the state Division of […]

Jim RosicaDecember 21, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday ordered legal briefs to be filed for a review of a proposed solar-power constitutional amendment. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar is sponsoring the amendment titled “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice.” The court asked for briefs by Jan. 11 – the day before the start of the 2016 Legislative […]

Jim RosicaNovember 18, 2015

In a legislative equivalent of a Hail Mary pass, the Democratic leader of the GOP-controlled state House has filed legislation to extend the terms of state lawmakers from eight years to 12 years. State Rep. Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach submitted the bill (HJR 711) on Wednesday for the 2016 Legislative Session. The change would require amending the state […]

Guest AuthorAugust 17, 2015

With the complexities involved over the redistricting cases winding their way through Florida courts, I shouldn’t be surprised how easily the Democrats are getting away with their misinformation campaign, and I really shouldn’t be surprised how willing the media is to repeat the Democrat talking points. Let’s review, first, what the constitutional amendments governed. The […]

Bruce RitchieApril 10, 2015

With a solar energy constitutional amendment proposed for the 2016 ballot, a pair of bills designed to provide tax savings for residents who install solar on their homes appears dead in the 2015 Legislative Session. SB 400 by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg, would provide a ballot measure to extend a residential property […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 26, 2015

Signatures for a proposed solar amendment to the state constitution have been verified and the measure has been submitted by state elections officials to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Floridians for Solar Choice says it wants to encourage solar energy production with a constitutional amendment that would prohibit governments or utilities from placing barriers on the […]

Guest AuthorJune 8, 2014

Must democracy be a scam? Today, the Florida Constitution has all the moral weight of a dry-cleaning ticket. That’s not the way that venerable document is usually perceived or how it’s supposed to be perceived. Yet, to be honest, that’s just the way it is — or how it has devolved. Politicians invoke the Constitution […]

Tag: constitutional amendments

Rick Scott seeks applicants for Constitution Revision Commission

Solar amendment backers say they have 1 million signatures

Solar amendment now at 75 percent of needed signatures

Legal briefs ordered in solar amendment review

Mark Pafford proposes extending legislative term limits

Must-read op-ed from Stafford Jones: Who is really doing the gerrymandering?

Solar bills falter in Legislature while ballot initiative rolls on

Solar ballot measure sent to Pam Bondi on way to Supreme Court

Stephen Goldstein: Florida elected officials trash constitutional amendments