Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJune 16, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court has asked Gov. Rick Scott to respond to a lawsuit claiming he doesn’t have authority to appoint three new justices on the last day of his term. The court on Friday gave Scott till July 5 to file a response, with the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) and Common Cause having a […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott appointed a conservative jurist to the state’s Supreme Court in December, he made clear he wasn’t done. “I will appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term,” he said, referring to the mandatory retirement in early 2019 of the court’s liberal-leaning triumvirate of Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy A. Quince and […]

Michael MolineJune 6, 2017

The governor’s constitutional authority to veto budget line items trumps a state law requiring him to bow to the Legislature when it resolves labor collective bargaining impasses, a divided 1st District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. The majority conceded that, under the state Labor Code, “any actions taken by the Legislature shall bind the parties” […]

Scott PowersMay 9, 2017

In her new response to Gov. Rick Scott‘s argument in their Supreme Court battle over power, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala contends that the Florida Constitution is clear that she has absolute power over all criminal cases in her jurisdiction, and that the governor can only override it with her permission. The issue is whether […]

Scott PowersApril 11, 2017

Arguing Gov. Rick Scott had no legal basis to strip murder cases from her jurisdiction, Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala filed challenges Tuesday morning in both the Florida Supreme Court and federal court. In complaints filed by her attorney, Roy Austin Jr. of Washington D.C., Ayala contends that she legally exercised prosecutorial discretion in deciding not […]

Associated PressMarch 23, 2017

Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran has called on the governor to suspend a prosecutor for pledging to not seek the death penalty in any case while she is in office. Corcoran said Thursday that Orlando State Attorney Aramis Ayala was “violating the constitution” because she is not even considering the death penalty. Capital punishment is […]

Staff ReportsMarch 5, 2017

Lisa Carlton has decided she will not run for Florida agriculture commissioner. Instead, the former state Senator, who co-owns a cattle ranch with her family, will focus on her new role as a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. As first reported by Zac Anderson the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Carlton, a Sarasota Republican, has changed […]

Michael MolineFebruary 23, 2017

A lively debate on governing principles broke out Thursday as a House committee voted unanimously to ask the voters to raise the threshold for amending the Florida Constitution. HJR 321 would require approval by 66 2/3 percent of the voters to change the state’s foundational document. At present, that requires 60 percent approval. Sponsor Rick […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 10, 2017

If the people of Florida want to make their voices heard in Tallahassee, they may have to speak a bit more emphatically going forward. Senate Joint Resolution 866, filed by Ocala Republican Dennis Baxley, would require a 2/3 majority to amend the Florida Constitution. The current threshold is 60 percent. Recent high-profile ballot measures have cleared the […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 1, 2017

When I was a member of the Florida Legislature, I always supported efforts to expand access to justice. It’s a right that’s enshrined in the Pledge of Allegiance, the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution: “The courts shall be open to every person for redress of any injury, and justice shall be administered without sale, […]

Tag: Florida Constitution

Rick Scott asked to respond to judicial appointments lawsuit

Progressive groups sue over Rick Scott’s judicial appointment power

Split appeal court upholds Rick Scott’s 2015 veto of firefighters’ $2,000 raise

Aramis Ayala argues that Rick Scott can only reassign cases with consent

Aramis Ayala files challenges of Rick Scott with Florida Supreme Court, federal court

Florida Speaker: Suspend prosecutor who nixes death penalty

Lisa Carlton not running for Florida Agriculture Commissioner in 2018

House panel votes to raise the bar for proposed constitutional amendments

Lawmakers would require two-thirds vote to amend Florida constitution

Carl Domino: Bridging the justice gap pays off for Floridians in multiple ways