Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

The state’s leading death penalty opposition group is calling for more than 200 Florida death row inmates to have their sentences reduced to life imprisonment. Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) says a Florida Supreme Court decision on convicted killer Mark Asay out Thursday means that many are “entitled to be resentenced.” The court […]

Jim RosicaDecember 21, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott is telling Cuban President Raul Castro to bring “absolute freedom and democracy to Cuba,” in a letter released Wednesday morning. The letter, in English and Spanish, was delivered to Cuban ambassador Jose Ramon Cabanas Rodriguez in Washington. Scott tells Castro, whom he addresses as “Mr. Castro,” that “following the death of your brother Fidel, the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 20, 2016

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has paid the state nearly $20 million this month in gambling revenue share, according to public records released Tuesday. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation‘s “licensing and revenue intake system” shows two deposits of $9.75 million were made last Thursday. The agency regulates gambling in the state. That intake system is limited to single deposits of no more than $10 million, DBPR […]

Jim RosicaDecember 16, 2016

Conservative appellate judge C. Alan Lawson will become the next Florida Supreme Court justice, Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday morning. Lawson, who will replace retiring Justice James E.C. Perry, is chief judge of the state’s 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach. Perry’s retirement is effective Dec. 30; Lawson’s first day is the 31st. “He’s got a 20-year track […]

Associated PressDecember 13, 2016

A federal judge is being asked to block additional parts of a contentious Florida abortion law. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit late Monday on behalf of several ministers, rabbis and organizations that provide abortion counseling services to women. The lawsuit contends that the law violates constitutional rights by requiring groups […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

A state agency that reports to Gov. Rick Scott isn’t clear on the location of millions of dollars the Seminole Tribe says it’s still ponying up from its gambling operations. A spokesman for the tribe last week said they have a “continuing desire to finalize a new gaming (agreement) with the state of Florida” that includes continued exclusive rights to […]

Associated PressDecember 12, 2016

Preliminary forecasts show Florida’s economy is growing, but probably not enough to solve the state’s looming budget constraints. State economists are meeting Monday to draw up forecasts to predict how much the state will collect in taxes. Gov. Rick Scott will use the forecasts to draw up budget recommendations for 2017. Preliminary estimates show economists […]

Michael MolineDecember 9, 2016

Sydney Kitson, a former professional football player turned developer, has secured a one-month appointment to the Board of Governors of Florida’s State University System. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Thursday, subject to Senate confirmation. Kitson will complete what’s left of former governor Morteza “Mori” Hosseini’s term. Hosseini stepped down in March to become a […]

Jim RosicaDecember 6, 2016

Attorney General Pam Bondi played coy with the press Tuesday over continued questions about whether she would be joining President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Bondi, an adviser to Trump’s presidential transition team, met with him Friday at Trump Tower in New York. After that meeting, she told the press, “I’m very happy being the Attorney General of […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2016

The Florida Channel plans to live stream the interviews of candidates for an opening on the Florida Supreme Court. The interviews are open to the public, but they will be held in Orlando next Monday, instead of Tallahassee. They’ll be at the offices of the GrayRobinson law firm, where Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission chair Jason Unger […]

Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

After Asay decision, anti-death penalty advocates call for commutations

Rick Scott to Raul Castro: Bring “absolute freedom and democracy to Cuba”

Seminole Tribe pays state nearly $20M in gambling money

Rick Scott picks C. Alan Lawson for Supreme Court

Federal judge asked to block part of Florida abortion law

Where’s the Seminoles’ gambling money? State’s not clear

Fla. economy grows, but not enough to avoid budget woes

Personnel note: Developer Sydney Kitson named to universities board

Will Pam Bondi stay or will she go now?

Supreme Court candidate interviews will be live streamed