Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 19, 2018

The next big debate over gambling in Florida could be on sports betting — with one top lawmaker already flexing his muscle regarding lawmakers’ say over it. This month, voters approved Amendment 3, also known as the “Voter Control of Gambling” amendment, by 71 percent. Its aim: To “ensure that Florida voters shall have the […]

Michael MolineNovember 15, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court has given judges permission to maintain Facebook friendships with trial attorneys, settling a divide between lower state appeals courts and siding with the majority of courts and ethics overseers in other states. The majority opinion, by Chief Justice Charles Canady, noted that the court hasn’t considered actual friendships between judges […]

Michael MolineNovember 15, 2018

The Supreme Court has OK’d a public reprimand for Miami-Dade County Judge Deborah White-Labora, concluding she tarnished her position by writing a character reference for a defendant in a federal prosecution. “Accordingly, we hereby command Judge Deborah White-Labora to appear before this court for the administration of a public reprimand at a time to be […]

Guest AuthorNovember 2, 2018

Sports coaches are fond of saying, “championships are won in the offseason.” It pays homage to the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for the season ahead. It also means that for winning teams, there really is no offseason. The same is true for Florida’s mayors, council members, commissioners and local elected officials. […]

Michael MolineOctober 31, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott has asked the Florida Supreme Court to reconsider allowing him to begin screening replacements for three of its justices, arguing the court may have “misapprehended” his arguments that he holds that authority. The court issued an order Oct. 15 declaring that only the next Governor has the authority to replace Justices R. Fred Lewis, Peggy A. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2018

Progressive groups now are suing to stop a state nominating panel from recommending candidates to the Florida Supreme Court, saying it “lacks the authority to make its nominations before the vacancies occur.” The League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause filed Friday evening to halt the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). Earlier Friday, […]

Michael MolineOctober 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court, as promised, issued its written decision explaining why it allowed the Constitution Revision Commission’s victims’ rights amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot — and the majority swept aside complaints the ballot language is misleading. ”In this case, the ballot title and summary comply with the statutory word limitations. Additionally, the title and […]

Michael MolineOctober 19, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has explained why it removed Dana Marie Santino from the Palm Beach County trial bench — and it looks like the days when judges could remain on the bench notwithstanding egregious campaign ethics violations are over. The high court stripped Santino of office in July amid complaints she’d engaged in ugly, “Donald Trump-like” […]

Michael MolineOctober 17, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared three proposed constitutional amendments for the Nov. 6 ballot, narrowly rejecting a challenge by retired Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead that they improperly bundled multiple items. In an unsigned opinion, the majority ruled that the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) was within its authority under state law, and the state […]

Joe HendersonOctober 17, 2018

Ron DeSantis hasn’t mentioned President Donald Trump much now that the general election for Florida Governor is getting closer, but that might change after Monday’s stinging slap by the Florida Supreme Court at Gov. Rick Scott. After lawsuits by the Florida League of Women Voters and Common Cause, the state’s highest court ruled that Scott cannot nominate […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

‘The will of the people’: The coming brouhaha over sports betting in Florida

Supreme Court greenlights judge-lawyer Facebook friendships

Praise for defendant brings rebuke for Miami-Dade judge

For local officials, there is no offseason

Rick Scott seeks another shot at screening Supreme Court nominees

Order in the (Supreme) Court: Suit aims to short-circuit nominating process

Supreme Court explains its OK of victims’ rights ballot language

Florida Supreme Court cracking down on judicial campaign misconduct

Justices OK ‘bundling,’ amendments will go to voters

Joe Henderson: Supreme Court ruling brings out Mini-Me in Ron DeSantis