Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

Equal time for both parents after a divorce would be the starting line in child custody cases under a bill heading to the Senate floor. The Rules Committee cleared the measure (SB 250) on a 7-4 party-line vote on Wednesday. The legislation, sponsored by Brandon Republican Tom Lee, creates a legal assumption that 50-50 time-sharing is in the best […]

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 RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The woman who was thrown out of a Senate committee meeting Thursday was unapologetic about her outburst, saying lawmakers deserved it. Cynthia Wheeler, a nurse and child-support activist from Palm Beach County, has come to Tallahassee before to speak on family-law related bills. She was in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday for a bill (SB […]

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, […]

Tag: Cynthia Wheeler

Bill on equal time in child custody heads to full Senate

House alimony reform clears final panel

Child-support activist ejected from Senate panel vows to return

Alimony overhaul bill clears first House panel