Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

Lawyers for the Florida House of Representatives are asking the state Supreme Court to postpone the Nov. 2 oral argument in the congressional redistricting case because it conflicts with the upcoming Special Session to redraw the state Senate districts. Attorneys for the House, including former Supreme Court Justice Charles T. Wells, George Meros and Jason Unger of […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

The second of two competing proposed constitutional amendments on solar-generated electricity has garnered enough signatures for state Supreme Court review. The utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar, which is behind what it calls the “Smart Solar Amendment,” announced Thursday it had “surpassed the goal of 68,314 verified petitions” needed for review. An initiative needs 683,149 signatures to get […]

Jim RosicaOctober 14, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court wants to hear from both sides one more time as a congressional redistricting lawsuit draws to a close. The court on Wednesday ordered oral argument in the case at 2 p.m. on Nov. 2. The justices will consider the map recommended by a lower court judge as it wraps up the challenge […]

Jim RosicaOctober 13, 2015

A fight over an important but otherwise obscure evidentiary standard used in court cases looms later this week. The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors will consider whether to recommend rejecting a change in evidence law that’s favored by conservative lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott. It promises to revive, at least temporarily, the debate over “tort reform,” […]

Jim RosicaOctober 9, 2015

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A Florida judge on Friday endorsed a map drawn by the League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause as the new boundary lines for the state’s 27 congressional districts. What it portends is a topsy-turvy time for Florida’s politics, with some members of Congress virtually ensured an exit from office next election. By late afternoon, […]

Drew WilsonOctober 8, 2015

Backers of an amendment that would expand consumer access to solar energy said Thursday that they bounced back from a slow August to raise nearly $450,000 this past month. The Floridians for Solar Choice (FSC) finance report is not yet available through the State Division of Elections, though committee officials said the $446,670 they brought […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2015

The attorney who accused a Florida judge of “kicking his ass” had earlier been described in a judicial investigative panel’s report as “rude, disrespectful, incompetent and a highly unlikeable lawyer.” On Tuesday, the Florida Supreme Court suspended Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy without pay and ordered him to show the court why he shouldn’t be permanently removed […]

Staff ReportsOctober 5, 2015

Legislative staff announced on Monday afternoon the proclamation that officially sets up the third special Session of 2016. Lawmakers will meet in Tallahassee beginning at 12 p.m. Monday on October 19 to revise the state’s Senate districts pursuant to a related Supreme Court ruling that struck down the Legislature’s Congressional boundary lines back in July. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 30, 2015

A Tallahassee-area judge who presided over several high-profile state-related lawsuits has been ordered off the bench immediately and permanently. Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford also once ordered a woman to pay $15,000 in restitution at a rate of $1 per month, stretching the full repayment into the year 3249. The Florida Supreme Court declared Fulford “involuntarily retired from judicial service,” […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 29, 2015

A three-day trial that could decide the fate of Florida’s political landscape ended Monday as lawyers for both sides accused each other of recommending changes to the state’s 27 congressional districts that could benefit either Republicans or Democrats. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis, who said he would rule sometime in October, must recommend a new map […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court

Fla. House att’ys to Supreme Court: Just checked our calendar…can we reschedule?

Another solar energy amendment triggers court review

Supreme Court orders oral argument in redistricting case

Will Legislature and Florida Bar get into tug of war over obscure court rule?

Judge rules for plaintiffs in congressional redistricting challenge

Solar Choice reports strongest fundraising numbers to date

State investigators had called Brevard judge accuser “not credible”

Legislature issues call for third special Session of 2016

Supreme Court orders judge ‘involuntarily retired’

Courts now will decide fate of Florida’s political landscape