Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court Friday denied a request from former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham to participate in oral argument in a case on expanding slot machines in the state. Graham has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the matter brought by Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines. Graham, a Democrat who was governor 1979-87 and […]

Bill RuftyMarch 8, 2016

A fourth two-year term in Congress is what U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a Lakeland Republican, is wishing for. On Thursday, Ross, 56, made his official announcement for the post in the three counties of his 15th Congressional District after redistricting orders from the Florida Supreme Court, warning of terrorism and the national debt. “Our work is […]

Guest AuthorMarch 7, 2016

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the partisan maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature violated the Fair Districts amendments, Rep. John Wood, R-Polk, called for impeachment proceedings against the justices. Now, Wood and his colleagues in the House are asking the people of Florida to believe that the judicial term-limits bill passed in the […]

Jim RosicaMarch 7, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a measure that overhauls Florida’s death penalty by requiring that at least 10 out of 12 jurors recommend an execution for it to be ordered. Scott approved the bill (HB 7101) on Monday, according to a statement from his office. Florida previously only required that a majority of jurors […]

Guest AuthorMarch 6, 2016

After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the partisan maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature violated the Fair Districts amendments, Rep. John Wood, R-Polk, called for impeachment proceedings against the justices. Now, Wood and his colleagues in the House are asking the people of Florida to believe that the judicial term-limits bill passed in the […]

Associated PressMarch 2, 2016

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Florida’s high court has delayed the execution of a convicted killer while lawmakers determine how to change the state’s death penalty sentencing system to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found it unconstitutional. The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the March 17 execution of Mark Asay, a Jacksonville man sentenced to death […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

Gambling interests have lined up in the Capitol to lobby for their long-held dream of remaking Florida in the image of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As the Legislature considers their requests for more and bigger casinos, I would caution the following: Not so fast. Any action the Legislature may take to expand gambling – […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

The Tallahassee attorney for Earthjustice, a national environmental law organization, is calling a proposed state constitutional amendment on solar power “a disguised attempt to derail rooftop solar in Florida.” The Florida Supreme Court had scheduled oral arguments for the hotly contested proposal for 11 a.m. March 7 with no more than 30 minutes allowed for each side. Among […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2016

Lawyers for Gretna Racing, the Gadsden County track seeking to add slot machines, this week asked the Florida Supreme Court to toss out former Gov. Bob Graham‘s friend-of-the-court brief in their case, saying he “has no right to raise a new issue from his position as a nonparty.” Graham’s brief opposes the operators of the racetrack. They argue they should be […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

A House initiative to place term limits on state Supreme Court justices and appellate judges was assigned to three committees of reference in the Senate late Tuesday: Judiciary, Ethics & Elections, and Rules. Under Senate rules, though, “Unless approved by the President, no committee shall meet after the fiftieth (50th) day of a regular session except the Rules Committee.” Tuesday was […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Supreme Court rejects Bob Graham’s bid to argue in gambling case

Dennis Ross makes official announcement; running for fourth term

Eric Lesh and Mark Ferrulo: Another legislative power grab for control of the courts

Rick Scott signs death penalty overhaul into law

Eric Lesh and Mark Ferrulo: Another legislative power grab for control of the courts

Execution delayed while lawmakers work to fix system

John Sowinski: Gambling proposals may violate Florida Constitution

Earthjustice strikes back against Smart Solar group

Bock, bock: Gambling opponents call racetrack’s lawyers chickens

Judicial term limits bill likely dead in Senate