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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 […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 25, 2015

The Florida judge who will play a pivotal role in deciding the fate of the state’s political landscape says he may craft his own proposal to sort out the mess left from squabbling over Florida’s 27 congressional districts. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has been asked by the state Supreme Court to pick a new congressional map […]

Associated PressSeptember 24, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court is asking The Florida Bar to prepare a rule that would ban lawyers from using for-profit client referral services that aren’t owned by lawyers. The court issued its order on Thursday, citing problems with for-profit referral services that haven’t been in the best interest of clients. The Florida Bar had proposed […]

Associated PressSeptember 24, 2015

Beginning on Thursday morning, a Florida judge will try to sort out the political mess left because of squabbling over the state’s 27 congressional districts. The Florida Supreme Court in July ordered the Republican-controlled Legislature to redraw the state’s congressional districts after finding the current map violated standards adopted by voters. But the House and Senate […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 22, 2015

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga has been released from the hospital after successful surgery for kidney cancer, a court spokesman said Tuesday. He’s now resting at home, spokesman Craig Waters told FloridaPolitics.com, but “resting” isn’t the word we’d use. Labarga “has been actively working using remote devices since last Thursday,” Waters said. “I have had […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 18, 2015

A measure filed Friday would limit Florida’s appellate judges and Supreme Court justices to 12 years on the bench. It’s the first formal initiative to come out of House Speaker-Designate Richard Corcoran‘s policy playbook. The joint resolution (SJR 322) was filed by a state senator, Elkton Republican Travis Hutson. State Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, filed […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 17, 2015

Saying there’s six more days before a possible shutdown of the federal government, Congresswoman Gwen Graham called on Republican leadership to pass a budget extension. The government’s money is running out, with a partial shutdown set for Oct. 1 unless lawmakers approve more funds. According to the Associated Press, Congress also “likely will need to vote to […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 17, 2015

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga “is resting comfortably amid a room full of Florida ‘Gator gifts and balloons from well-wishers” after successful surgery for kidney cancer, a court spokesman said Thursday. Labarga, who got his bachelor and law degrees from the University of Florida, underwent the operation at Shands Hospital in Gainesville this […]

Tag: Florida Supreme Court
Image via Fresh Take Florida.

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

Redistricting recap: Judge may ‘combine’ maps

Florida Supreme Court wants new rule on lawyer referrals

Redistricting trial set to begin today

Jorge Labarga “resting” at home? Not exactly

Measure would limit Florida appeal judges to 2 terms

Gwen Graham calls for federal budget extension

Jorge Labarga recovering from cancer surgery