Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 23, 2016

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An all-black “Festivus” pole will not be appearing in the Capitol rotunda this holiday season, according to a Department of Management Services spokeswoman. Maggie Mickler said Friday that South Florida-based activist Chaz Stevens emailed the department Thursday evening. He said “he will not be traveling to Tallahassee” to install the display. The department oversees state property and approves proposed holiday displays in the Capitol. […]

Jim RosicaDecember 8, 2016

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The state has OK’d a politically charged “Festivus” pole for display in the Capitol this holiday season. The Department of Management Services, which oversees state property, cleared the pole to have a place in the plaza-level rotunda, spokeswoman Maggie Mickler said Thursday. The all black, six-foot-tall pole “will contain the names of all unarmed black men killed by police in […]

Jim RosicaNovember 22, 2016

A South Florida activist and former blogger has again filed to erect a “Festivus” pole in the state Capitol this year as a holiday display. But this year’s pole has a politically charged twist, according to Chaz Stevens‘ application to the state. “The all black, six-foot-tall Festivus-inspired pole will contain the names of all unarmed black men killed by […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A rainbow-colored pole with a disco ball on top has been cleared for display this holiday season in the state Capitol rotunda, its sponsor told FloridaPolitics.com on Thursday. South Florida blogger Chaz Stevens said the Department of Management Services, which oversees state property, OK’d his Gay Pride Festivus pole to be shown Dec. 21-28. Stevens was previously […]

Jim RosicaDecember 7, 2015

A rainbow-colored pole with a disco ball on top may not be the only holiday display in the Florida Capitol rotunda this season. On Monday, a Department of Management Services spokeswoman said one other group had filed to place a display: Chabad Lubavitch of Tallahassee and FSU filed to place a 9-foot-tall menorah, representing the traditional nine-taper candle holder […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2015

The Lord may have said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” but he’s given up on the Florida Capitol. The private group that has put up a Christian nativity scene inside the statehouse says it’s taking a pass this year because the annual controversy over various displays has become too distracting. Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer […]

Jim RosicaNovember 25, 2015

‘Tis the season (almost), but so far the Gay Pride version of the Festivus pole is the only display to ask for placement in the Capitol Rotunda. As of Tuesday, South Florida blogger Chaz Stevens had submitted the only application for a holiday display, according to a spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services, the […]

Tag: holiday displays

No joy: Festivus pole will be absent from Capitol this year

Approved: Black “Festivus” pole will be placed in Capitol

Capitol holiday display would pay homage to police shooting victims

“Disco pole” approved, “spaghetti monster” applies for Capitol holiday displays

Group files to place menorah in Capitol rotunda

Baby Jesus could be absent from Capitol this year

Gay pride pole is only Capitol holiday display submitted so far