Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2018

A lawyer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Friday said his client is offended over gambling that violates its exclusive agreement with the state and won’t agree to a new deal unless “the games end.” Barry Richard, the Tribe’s outside counsel, and tribal leaders met with Sen. Bill Galvano and Rep. Jose Oliva this week […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court narrowly decided to hear a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto of firefighter pay raises in the 2015-16 state budget. The Court “accepted jurisdiction” of the case (No. SC17-1434) on Thursday, with the first brief on the merits due by Feb. 14. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justices R. Fred […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

There will be more ways to watch the Florida Supreme Court when it revs up Facebook Live broadcasts this week. The court will use the social media broadcasting service to televise Thursday’s Florida Bar Pro Bono Awards honoring lawyers who donate services to people in need, court spokesman Craig Waters said in a Tuesday email. After that, Facebook […]

Scott PowersJanuary 8, 2018

A three-year fight over non-partisan elections in Orange County may be headed for the Florida Supreme Court — with the prospect of affecting county elections throughout the state. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs announced Monday she wants the state’s high court to consider whether Orange County — and other charter counties like it — can […]

Jim RosicaDecember 27, 2017

Partly because they came late to the court this year, some high-profile cases before the Florida Supreme Court will remain unresolved by the close of 2017. As of this writing, the court’s weekly opinion release was going to be on holiday hiatus until Jan. 11, though “out-of-calendar releases” are still possible, a spokesman said. Here are a few of those pending […]

Jim RosicaDecember 26, 2017

Spoiler alert: If you’re a regular of this site, and reading this story, you can guess what the #1 pick is. Otherwise, 2017 still offered a bounty of material to Tallahassee’s reporting ranks. We still chuckle at the uninitiated who ask, “What do you write about when the Legislature isn’t in session?” Without further ado, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 19, 2017

In a 4-3 decision Tuesday, the Florida Supreme Court handed over a constitutional challenge to a contentious education law to a local court to handle. Without explanation, the Supreme Court transferred the matter (SC17-1996) to the 2nd Judicial Circuit, headquartered across the street from the Capitol. School Board of Alachua County v. House Speaker Richard […]

Jim RosicaDecember 14, 2017

Saying the issue wasn’t ready for judicial review, the state’s highest court Thursday dismissed a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott‘s power to appoint three new justices on his last day in office in 2019. In a 6-1 decision, the Florida Supreme Court said it couldn’t step into the controversy because the governor hasn’t taken any […]

Peter SchorschDecember 5, 2017

Florida takes the top spot among the states in more than a few lists, but it earned a “distinction” from the American Tort Reform Association which said the Sunshine State was the No. 1 “Judicial Hellhole” in the country. Florida was one of eight states or judicial districts getting a write up in 2017-2018 Judicial […]

Jim RosicaNovember 29, 2017

The “hot mic” has gone cold. In a one-sentence order, the Florida Supreme Court denied Gov. Rick Scott’s request to disqualify Justice Barbara Pariente from a pending case over his judicial appointment power. “The respondent’s motion to disqualify Justice Pariente is hereby denied,” it said, without elaboration. Scott “expects all judges to be fair and impartial,” […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Seminole Tribe ‘insulted,’ doesn’t need gambling deal, lawyer says

Supreme Court will take firefighter pay raise case

‘Like’ this: Supreme Court will soon be on Facebook Live

Orange County appealing to Supreme Court in battle over non-partisan or partisan elections

High-profile Florida Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories of 2017

Florida Supreme Court decides to punt away HB 7069 challenge

‘We decline’: Court tosses challenge to Rick Scott’s appointment power

Florida takes No. 1 spot on ‘Judicial Hellholes’ list

Barbara Pariente to stay on Rick Scott judicial appointments case