Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanNovember 30, 2015

The corpus delicti lay in plain view. The circumstantial evidence was obvious. Everyone knew who did it. The courts, though, couldn’t act without proof the offense was deliberate. That’s not about a crime in the usual sense. Rather, it describes why it’s taking so long to replace the Legislature’s gerrymandered voting districts with maps that […]

Associated PressNovember 20, 2015

A Democratic House member and a Republican Senator want voters to expand term limits for state lawmakers from eight to 12 years. House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford and Sen. Rene Garcia undo bold Thursday that they’ll ask the Legislature to place a measure on the 2016 ballot asking voters to loosen the current term limits. They […]

Associated PressNovember 19, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court is asking for more judges. The high court on Thursday formally asked the state Legislature for 24 new judgeships across the state. The court is asking for one new circuit judgeship in the central Florida judicial circuit covering Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. The justices say the 5th Judicial […]

Phil AmmannNovember 18, 2015

As the saying goes: “even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.” In a new email, Democratic Senate District 29 candidate Gary Farmer praises the Florida Legislature for “getting it right this time” on gun laws, and not giving in to the powerful National Rifle Association. “It doesn’t happen often in Florida: […]

Peter SchorschNovember 17, 2015

Ballard Partners tops the compensation list for lobbying the Florida Legislature in the third quarter of 2015, bringing in $2.22 million, according to newly released compensation reports. Registered lobbying firms took in almost $32 million in fees — $31,775,000 to be (somewhat) exact — between July and September 2015 to represent clients in front of Florida […]

Ryan RayNovember 13, 2015

A Tallahassee trial court judge Friday afternoon denied a motion filed by the Legislature’s attorneys that sought to appoint a special consultant. Second Judicial Circuit Judge George Reynolds sided with a coalition group of plaintiffs who brought the Senate redistricting challenge that ultimately invalidated the chamber’s enacted maps. Lewis said the time frame for the court’s work was […]

Drew WilsonNovember 12, 2015

Anti-gambling group No Casinos Inc. launched a new political committee late last month and jump-started its fundraising with a $195,000 check. Voters in Charge paperwork reached state elections officials Oct. 21 and the contribution followed two days later. The committee is chaired by No Casinos President John Sowinski and Abby Dupree is listed as the […]

Guest AuthorNovember 12, 2015

During the upcoming Legislative Session there will be bills dealing with the Florida Lottery that can take the lottery in very different directions. One would bring sanity to an out-of-control form of gambling, while the other would allow people to finance their gambling addiction on credit – a dangerous direction for our state. Today’s lottery […]

Guest AuthorNovember 11, 2015

During the upcoming Legislative Session there will be bills dealing with the Florida Lottery that can take the lottery in very different directions. One would bring sanity to an out-of-control form of gambling, while the other would allow people to finance their gambling addiction on credit – a dangerous direction for our state. Today’s lottery […]

Gary FineoutNovember 11, 2015

A long-running legal battle over Florida’s political landscape wound up back before the state Supreme Court on Tuesday where several justices sounded skeptical about the changes proposed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. The hope is that the court will soon end three years of lawsuits, court hearings and special sessions by finally endorsing a new map […]

Tag: Florida Legislature
Orlando Fire Department (courtesy of OFD)

Martin Dyckman: Florida should adopt an independent redistricting commission

Lawmakers seek to expand term limits from 8 to 12 years

Florida Supreme Court seeks 24 more judgeships statewide

Email insight: Gary Farmer praises Tallahassee for “getting it right” on gun measure

Firms collect nearly $31 million during Q3 to lobby Florida Legislature

Judge denies Senate motion to appoint new consultant in redistricting case

No Casinos jump-starts anti-gambling campaign with $195K check

Paul Seago: Florida Lottery should be constrained, not expanded

Paul Seago: Florida Lottery should be constrained, not expanded

Supreme Court considers changes to Florida’s political map