Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 29, 2018

Pinellas County taxpayers are officially off the hook for a $16.5 million claim from a developer who says it was wrongfully denied rezoning permits to build a 246-unit luxury apartment in Safety Harbor. The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday denied hearing an appeal from the Richman Group of Florida, the project developer, in a case […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2018

Carlos Muñiz, former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, is on the list of 11 finalists for three openings on the Florida Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which met privately to go over the 59 applicants, released its list Tuesday afternoon. Muñiz, now the general counsel to the U.S. Department of […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 26, 2018

Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott said he wanted to appoint Duval County Judge Lester Bass to succeed Judge Robert Foster on the 4th Judicial Circuit bench. On Monday, the outgoing Governor and now Senator-elect got his wish. Bass’s appointment to the 4th Circuit came after considerable legal wrangling regarding whether Scott had the right to appoint at all. Jacksonville lawyer David Trotti […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2018

The body that licenses and regulates the state’s nearly 107,000 lawyers is looking for a non-lawyer to be a member of its governing board. “A screening committee of The Florida Bar Board of Governors has been appointed to review the applications for the public member position, conduct final interviews and make recommendations to the Bar’s […]

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, […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Supreme Court halts Pinellas’ pricey battle with developer

Carlos Muñiz makes short list for Florida Supreme Court

Case closed: Lester Bass appointed (finally) to 4th Circuit court

The Florida Bar seeks non-lawyer board member

‘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