Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 25, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has extended by another 60 days his executive order that has Florida and all 67 counties providing services and cutting red tape to help evacuating Puerto Ricans settle into the Sunshine State because of Hurricane Maria. On Thursday Scott signed Executive Order 18-17, a second 60-day extension of an order he […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

State government can’t count on continued money from Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos, a roundtable of state economists decided Thursday. After taking a pass on the issue earlier this month, the Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to label the money—over $200 million a year—”nonrecurring.” In other words, not likely to repeat. Lawmakers can still decide to count the expected funds […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 25, 2018

A divided Florida Supreme Court narrowly decided to hear a challenge to Gov. Rick Scott‘s veto of firefighter pay raises in the 2015-16 state budget. The Court “accepted jurisdiction” of the case (No. SC17-1434) on Thursday, with the first brief on the merits due by Feb. 14. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Justices R. Fred […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

An attorney arguing to overturn Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana says if a constitutional amendment doesn’t say it can’t be smoked, then lawmakers and regulators can’t stand in the way of patients who want to. “If you’re the Legislature, why would you pick out smoking and say no? Because this (amendment) allows it,” attorney Jon Mills told […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 22, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday announced the appointment of four new trial-court and appellate judges: — J. Andrew “Drew” Atkinson to the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. Atkinson, 44, of Tampa, is now the General Counsel for the Department of Management Services. A native of the Tampa Bay area, he previously practiced with the […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 18, 2018

A proposal to allow the automatic restoration of non-violent ex-felons’ voting rights cleared a Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) committee on Thursday. The CRC’s Ethics and Elections Committee OK’d the measure (P7) by a 6-2 vote. “If successful, Smith and Joyner’s proposal would bring Florida in line with most of the states in the nation that already allow […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

A Tallahassee judge now will consider whether life insurance companies are in the right over a 2016 law requiring them to track down beneficiaries. After hearing argument Wednesday, Circuit Judge Terry Lewis said he would rule on the companies’ motion for summary judgment “fairly soon.” Such motions allow parties to win a case without a trial. The […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is launching a new television commercial throughout Florida today accusing Gov. Rick Scott of denying climate change and vowing that any threat of oil drilling off Florida’s coast “is going to stop” if Levine is elected governor. The 30-second ad “Denial” is backed by a $375,000 broadcast and cable TV […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 17, 2018

Two veteran prosecutors are among the six finalists that Gov. Rick Scott will choose from to fill an open judicial seat for the Tallahassee region. The Second Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), after interviewing 12 applicants Tuesday, now sends their list to Scott. He has 60 days to make a decision. The finalists, according to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 13, 2018

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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham alleged Friday that Gov. Rick Scott and his office could be partly to blame for the 14 heat deaths at a Hollywood Hills nursing home following Hurricane Irma after the Associated Press reported the facility called him three times seeking help. The Governor’s Office quickly shot back, insisting that nursing […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott

Rick Scott extends emergency orders for Puerto Rico evacuees

‘Risky money’: Gambling dollars unlikely to repeat, forecasters say

Supreme Court will take firefighter pay raise case

Fate of medical marijuana smoking ban now with judge

Gaveling in: Rick Scott appoints new judges

Voting rights proposal advanced by constitutional review board

Judge could give early win to companies over insurance law

New Philip Levine TV ad focuses on off-shore drilling threat

Six finalists picked for open Tallahassee judgeship

Gwen Graham charges that receiving phone calls means Rick Scott should have acted on Hollywood Hills