Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2015

After his testimony in front of the Senate panel on redistricting Friday, a lot of Alachua, Pasco, Sarasota and Volusia voters probably wish Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala was their senator, too. Latvala doesn’t sit on the Senate Reapportionment Committee and instead had to sign up to speak during the panel’s public comment time. During his […]

Jim RosicaOctober 23, 2015

The Florida Senate’s panel on redistricting on Friday narrowly cleared a new map resetting the boundaries of the state’s 40 senatorial districts. The committee’s recommended map (S9090) next will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. It was approved on a 4-3 party-line vote. Committee chair Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, said all senators will almost certainly be […]

Jim RosicaOctober 23, 2015

In what could be a losing move, Republican U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster is asking the state Supreme Court to allow him to be a new party in the ongoing congressional redistricting challenge. Webster, who represents Central Florida’s 10th Congressional District, filed his motion to intervene Thursday. Webster’s filing says he “recognizes that generally intervention is […]

Phil AmmannOctober 22, 2015

Florida’s Chamber of Commerce is strongly criticizing the Solar Choice Amendment, the day the proposal passed a major legal hurdle. Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber president and CEO, denounced the amendment after its language was approved by the Florida Supreme Court Thursday afternoon. He said, as it stands, the proposal is “driven by special interests that […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Floridians to generate and sell their own solar power passes legal muster, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The court’s purview was limited to whether the language embraces one subject and uses “clear and unambiguous language” in the ballot summary. The majority said yes on both counts. Justices Ricky Polston, however, disagreed on […]

Guest AuthorOctober 21, 2015

Redistricting. Reapportionment. New voting maps. Dull. Boring. Eyes glaze over. It’s tough to follow – and care about – the legal battles that have been going on for years over Florida’s voting districts. But on Tuesday night I heard two attorneys who have been at the heart of the redistricting fight tell a riveting tale […]

Staff ReportsOctober 21, 2015

The state House and Senate have issued legislative calendar changes for the final week of 2015 Special Session C, which is set to end Nov. 6. The session was convened to amend Senate maps, ordered by a Florida Supreme Court judgment that found the upper chamber violated anti-gerrymandering laws. A number of scheduled hearing times […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court has ordered oral argument for its review of a proposed constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana. The court posted the order to its website Wednesday; the order was signed Tuesday. Argument was scheduled for 9 a.m., Dec. 8. The court ordered briefs by Oct. 30 and “answer” briefs by Nov. 9. Attorney General Pam Bondi had formally asked for the review to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 20, 2015

The operators of a North Florida race track are asking the state Supreme Court to review a lower-court decision that said several Florida dog and horse tracks can’t also have slot machines. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which runs the track in Gretna, filed its request Tuesday. Gretna is about 25 miles west of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Charlie Crist is back. The former Florida Governor announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District on Tuesday, a position he showed little interest in until the Florida Supreme Court declared that the district had been unfairly gerrymandered this summer, and ordered the state Legislature to redraw the district. As it […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Must-watch: Jack Latvala blasts proposed Senate maps in committee testimony

Senate panel barely clears new redistricting map

Daniel Webster asks to enter congressional redistricting case

Florida Chamber denounces Solar Choice Amendment after Supreme Court approves language

Supreme Court approves first of 2 proposed solar amendments

Tom O’Hara: Attorneys tell an inspiring tale about a dull topic

Legislative chambers revise schedule for final week of Special Session

Supreme Court orders oral argument for medical pot amendment

Gretna race track wants Supreme Court to decide slots question

Saying he’s a public servant, Charlie Crist announces his candidacy for Congress