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Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 14, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. That ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s office is getting more time to prepare legal arguments in a case over whether certain Florida dog and horse tracks can offer slot machines to guests. The Florida Supreme Court granted the request Wednesday, giving her lawyers another month to turn in their brief. Bondi’s office, specifically Solicitor General Allen Winsor, is representing […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 13, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. This ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 13, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has denied a former judge’s request to reconsider his removal from the bench after he was caught on courtroom video berating and threatening to fight an assistant public defender. The court issued its denial of John C. Murphy‘s motion for rehearing on Wednesday. The request was technical in nature: Murphy had wanted his removal to be for […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

As promised, the backers of one proposed solar-power constitutional amendment have filed a legal brief opposing the other and asked for oral argument. Floridians for Solar Choice, supported by the solar industry and business and consumer interests, on Monday filed its opposition brief against the utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar. Its attorneys advanced the filing earlier in […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 8, 2016

The Florida Legislature is continuing to oppose an effort by the plaintiffs’ attorneys to get their fees paid by state government now that the congressional redistricting case has been closed. Lawyers for House and Senate filed more legal authority with the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday to support their position that the opposing lawyers are “not entitled to […]

Associated PressJanuary 5, 2016

A Florida judge who was ordered off the bench for berating and threatening to fight an assistant public defender is asking that his removal be for medical rather than disciplinary reasons. Brevard County Judge John Murphy on Monday asked the Florida Supreme Court for a rehearing in his case. Murphy says his removal should be […]

Jim RosicaDecember 31, 2015

The north Florida city of Gretna is siding with the operators of a racetrack there, arguing that the facility is “entitled to a license to operate slot machines.” The city filed a friend-of-the-court brief Thursday to the Florida Supreme Court in a challenge to a 1st District Court of Appeal decision that said various Florida dog and horse tracks […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court
Pam Bondi. Image via AP.

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

Martin Dyckman: U.S. Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Pam Bondi granted more time to prep for slot machine case

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Supreme Court denies rehearing request by former judge

Solar amendment showdown goes to court

The next redistricting fight: Who pays the attorneys?

Judge removed from bench asks for rehearing

City of Gretna files brief in slots case, sides with local track

Jim Rosica’s top 10 stories of 2015 in state government