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Staff ReportsMarch 20, 2018

As expected, Gov. Rick Scott signed bills into law that will place a statue of Florida educator and civil-rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune in the U.S. Capitol, and create a slavery memorial at the state Capitol. Those two measures were among 30 the governor signed Monday that were passed during the 2018 Legislative Session. Florida […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

Talk about pre-emption. With Gov. Rick Scott speedily approving the 2018-19 state budget and issuing line-item vetoes just two days after it hit his desk, Florida TaxWatch was prevented from holding its signature event: The annual presentation of “Budget Turkeys.” “This historically, exceptionally fast turnaround time did not allow Florida TaxWatch to fully complete the meticulous […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2018

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Out of $64 million in budget vetoes issued Friday, Gov. Rick Scott killed $270,000 slated for the acquisition of the Florida Quilt Museum building in Trenton, the county seat of Gilchrist County. That gladdened Rep. Evan Jenne, a Dania Beach Democrat who inveighed against the money during debate on the state’s spending plan. “I am pleased to […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Before the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) convened its final public hearing Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Gov. Rick Scott joined others to support Marsy’s Law for Florida. A proposed constitutional amendment would grant equal rights to defendants and convicted criminals, and to victims and their family members. “It’s very important that Marsy’s Law becomes the law of the land,” Scott said. Most states […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott appointed four new judges Monday, including the assistant U.S. attorney who helped prosecute a South Florida eye doctor linked in a corruption case to Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey. Scott named Carolyn Bell to the 15th Judicial Circuit for Palm Beach County. She was one of the federal prosecutors to […]

Scott PowersMarch 12, 2018

Republican Gov. Rick Scott still isn’t officially in the race for Florida’s U.S. Senate election this year but that’s not stopping Democrats from hammering him with two new digital ads being released Monday, raising questions about his financial blind trust and his missing nursing home voicemails. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is releasing the digital […]

Joe HendersonMarch 12, 2018

The 2018 Florida Legislative Session is over and all that messy lawmaking stuff is complete, so our representatives now can focus on their real jobs — raising money and plotting their next elected gig. Um, not you Jack Latvala. Sorry. For everyone else though, there are ELECTIONS coming SOON!!! But hey, we can’t just say Sine […]

Ana CeballosMarch 11, 2018

The Florida Legislature during a rare Sunday session passed an $88.7 billion state budget — the largest one in the state’s history. “This balanced budget includes unprecedented K-12 per student funding, targeted pay raises for state law enforcement, state firefighters, and Department of Juvenile Justice probation and detention officers, and $100 million for Florida Forever, while […]

Jim RosicaMarch 11, 2018

In a surprise announcement Sunday from the dais of the Florida House, Gov. Rick Scott said he had appointed Republican Rep. Larry Metz as a circuit judge. Metz, a Yalaha Republican and 62-year-old lawyer in private practice, applied for a judgeship in the 5th Judicial Circuit, covering Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. He’s term-limited in the House […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2018

The 2018 Legislative Session came and went, and Brian Pitts of the advocacy group Justice 2 Jesus was nowhere to be found. One of the last times he was spotted was November at the Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee. It was the last meeting for former state Rep. Neil Combee and after he said farewell, […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Bethune statue, slavery memorial, payday loans among bills signed by Rick Scott

Quick budget turnaround cuts TaxWatch off at the pass

No quilts for you: Rick Scott vetoes museum money

Backers push for Marsy’s Law—a crime victims’ ‘bill of rights’

Rick Scott names four new circuit judges

Democrats hammer Rick Scott’s finances, statements with new digital ads

Joe Henderson: A proper goodbye to 2018 Legislative Session

Legislature passes $88.7B state budget to close out extended session

Rick Scott surprises Larry Metz: He’s a judge

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Where is Justice 2 Jesus?