Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Darryl PaulsonApril 25, 2016

In a typical election cycle, about 90 percent of House members and 70 percent of U.S. senators win re-election. As has often been noted, Americans hate Congress, but love their own representative. In the 2016 congressional election in Florida, close to half of the delegation will be replaced. As David Wasserman of the Cook Political […]

Jac VerSteegApril 24, 2016

Steve Crisafulli, speaker of the Florida House, heaped disdain on the Florida Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision to suspend the state’s 24-hour waiting period for an abortion. “I can’t say I’m surprised,” Crisafulli said in a statement. “In my opinion, this has been one of the most activist and overreaching state Supreme Courts in recent memory. […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

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The Florida Supreme Court has suspended a Miami-Dade County judge after allegations she was “impaired” at work. The court on Tuesday unanimously ordered Judge Jacqueline Schwartz suspended from office immediately until a formal finding. “The parties shall file simultaneous responses as to why Judge Schwartz should not be suspended without pay pending disposition of this proceeding,” the court wrote. […]

Jim RosicaApril 19, 2016

A north Florida racetrack seeking slot machines is delving into legislative history to bolster its case. Gretna Racing’s lawyer on Tuesday submitted documents from the 2009 session to sway the Florida Supreme Court to expand slots play throughout the state. A ruling for the track could result in what critics fear will be the single biggest gambling expansion in the […]

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2016

A panel of federal judges Monday shot down U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s challenge of Florida’s congressional redistricting. In a 26-page order, the three judges said Brown had “not proven (her) case and that defendants are entitled to judgment in their favor.” The defendants include the League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause and others who last year forced a […]

Julie DelegalApril 17, 2016

Jim Kallinger and Dick Batchelor wrote in Context Florida last week that voters should support “Amendment 1,” which seeks to regulate solar energy in Florida. They disclose at the end of the article that they work for “Consumers for Smart Solar.” But voters may not know that “Consumers for Smart Solar” is a bankrolled front […]

Martin DyckmanApril 15, 2016

If only the Florida Constitution included a provision like this: (1) Members of the Legislature who vote for measures subsequently held unconstitutional shall be liable jointly and severally for all attorney fees and costs as established by the court. (2) Failure to pay such liabilities within 60 days of final judgment shall constitute disqualification for […]

Martin DyckmanApril 14, 2016

If only the Florida Constitution included a provision like this: (1) Members of the Legislature who vote for measures subsequently held unconstitutional shall be liable jointly and severally for all attorney fees and costs as established by the court. (2) Failure to pay such liabilities within 60 days of final judgment shall constitute disqualification for […]

Associated PressApril 14, 2016

Florida government agencies that lose lawsuits filed by people seeking access to public records will have to pay plaintiffs’ attorney fees, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a Jacksonville-based case. And it doesn’t matter if the agency didn’t know it was breaking Florida’s public records laws when it denied or limited access to records, […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2016

Should satellite-television service be taxed at a higher rate than cable? The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides Wednesday. Satellite TV companies, including DirecTV, want the court to uphold the 1st District Court of Appeal’s 2-1 decision last year, which said that taxing the two services differently is unconstitutional. The state’s Revenue Department and Florida’s […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court
Close-up. Arrested man handcuffed hands at the back

Darryl Paulson: Florida’s congressional elections: The changing of the guard

Jac VerSteeg: House bullies attack Florida Supreme Court

Miami-Dade judge suspended over “impairment” allegations

Racetrack seeking slots files legislative documents to boost case

Court rejects Corrine Brown’s bid to throw out Florida congressional map

Julie Delegal: Pro-solar consumers beware: Vote no on Amendment 1

Martin Dyckman: Courts failed organizations that won redistricting fight

Martin Dyckman: Courts failed organizations that won redistricting fight

Florida Supreme Court: Board must pay in public records case

State’s highest court talks TV tax