Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 28, 2015

For the first time in recent memory, a sitting Florida senator invoked the Senate Rules during a floor session to call out a colleague specifically for impugning his integrity. State Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican and previous Senate President, raised a “question of personal privilege” to defend his honor against attacks made in the press […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

The “coalition plaintiffs” in the state Senate redistricting challenge announced Tuesday night they were submitting their own redrawn district map – weeks after the chairman of the chamber’s redistricting panel invited them to participate in the map-making process. The Senate set up its own map on Tuesday for a Wednesday vote, one that combines a version of South Florida districts […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

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The Florida Senate on Tuesday agreed to amend its proposed redrawn district map with a “sandbox” that again moves the lines in South Florida. The plan by GOP state Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla also happens to ensure he wouldn’t have to run against fellow Republican Miami-Dade incumbent Anitere Flores. The Senate, however, put off a vote […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

The Florida Senate’s second-ranking Democrat has filed five more plans for consideration in the ongoing Special Session to redraw the state’s 40 senatorial districts. The chamber’s redistricting web page shows that state Sen. Oscar Braynon II of Miami Gardens filed the maps Sunday. Braynon, the Democratic leader pro tempore, also is vice chair of the Reapportionment Committee. Its […]

Peter SchorschOctober 25, 2015

After his testimony in front of the Senate panel on redistricting Friday, a lot of Alachua, Pasco, Sarasota and Volusia voters probably wish Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala was their senator, too. Latvala doesn’t sit on the Senate Reapportionment Committee and instead had to sign up to speak during the panel’s public comment time. During his […]

Jim RosicaOctober 23, 2015

The Florida Senate’s panel on redistricting on Friday narrowly cleared a new map resetting the boundaries of the state’s 40 senatorial districts. The committee’s recommended map (S9090) next will be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday. It was approved on a 4-3 party-line vote. Committee chair Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, said all senators will almost certainly be […]

Guest AuthorOctober 23, 2015

Finally, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has lost its credibility. Its credibility as a governing body. Its credibility as a professional organ. Its credibility as a guardian of the best interests of FAMU. Its credibility in its ongoing dispute with FAMU President Elmira Mangum, which reached a point of high camp at a […]

Guest AuthorOctober 22, 2015

Finally, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has lost its credibility. Its credibility as a governing body. Its credibility as a professional organ. Its credibility as a guardian of the best interests of FAMU. Its credibility in its ongoing dispute with FAMU President Elmira Mangum, which reached a point of high camp at a […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

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Making the Tampa Bay region look like a game of Twister, Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons late Thursday filed his own proposed map redrawing the state’s Senate districts. For instance, Simmons’ map creates a 16th District that takes in about the same area currently represented by GOP Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater, not by jumping the bay, […]

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

The Florida Senate looks committed to moving ahead with two proposed remedial maps for its districts: One that keeps the current numbering system and another in which districts would be numbered randomly. Still left undecided, though, is the bigger question of whether senators will have to run for re-election if their district lines change. Senate […]

Tag: Jack Latvala
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Don Gaetz strikes back against ‘bully’ Jack Latvala

Plaintiffs now say they’re filing their own Senate district map

Senate takes Miguel Diaz de la Portilla map with South Florida changes

Oscar Braynon files five more Senate maps

Must-watch: Jack Latvala blasts proposed Senate maps in committee testimony

Senate panel barely clears new redistricting map

Chris Timmons: In battle with university president, FAMU’s board of trustees has lost its credibility

Chris Timmons: In battle with university president, FAMU’s Board of Trustees has lost its credibility

David Simmons files map for Senate redistricting

State Senate moving forward with redistricting maps