Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJuly 5, 2017

The new president of The Florida Bar says the organization is standing by to offer “technical legal” support to the Constitution Revision Commission as it readies to amend the state’s governing document, which could include changes affecting the judicial branch. But Michael J. Higer, a partner in Berger Singerman’s Miami office, won’t say which public […]

Staff ReportsJune 19, 2017

The Florida Bar‘s Annual Convention begins Wednesday at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, with “a focus on the future of the legal profession and the challenges lawyers face,” the organization said in a news release. On Friday, Miami attorney Michael J. Higer will be sworn in as the Bar’s 69th president, and West Palm Beach attorney Michelle […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

When Gov. Rick Scott appointed a conservative jurist to the state’s Supreme Court in December, he made clear he wasn’t done. “I will appoint three more justices the morning I finish my term,” he said, referring to the mandatory retirement in early 2019 of the court’s liberal-leaning triumvirate of Justices Barbara Pariente, Peggy A. Quince and […]

Martin DyckmanMay 9, 2017

When the Florida Constitution Revision Commission was debating the election of judges 20 years ago, I sat in the gallery to hear my own words used to attack something that my editorials and columns consistently had supported. The issue was whether all trial judges should be chosen exclusively by appointment, without elections, in the same […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2017

The Florida Supreme Court no longer will allow its justices to keep working indefinitely on open cases after they leave the bench, according to a new rule released Thursday. After Justice James E.C. Perry officially retired on Dec. 30, Chief Justice Jorge Labarga allowed him to finish work on opinions as a “senior justice,” following decades of court practice. […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

The newly-formed Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) won’t spend time on changes that can’t pass at the ballot box, its chairman said Monday. “If the public doesn’t feel overwhelmingly supportive of (a proposed amendment), then why do it?” said Carlos Beruff, the Manatee County homebuilder appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. The panel held an organizational meeting in the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 27, 2017

With the 2017 Legislative Session fast approaching, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Gov. Rick Scott still have not released their appointees for the upcoming Constitution Revision Commission. It’s the panel that meets every 20 years to suggest rewrites and additions to the state’s governing document. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and Senate President Joe Negron have already […]

Susan WashingtonFebruary 17, 2017

The black-robed justices who filed solemnly into a courtroom at the University of Florida law school Thursday morning were not the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, but they were announced as if they were. “All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 15, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-02-15-at-12.05.02-PM.png

Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz and former Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith are among those tapped by current Senate President Joe Negron to sit on the state’s Constitution Revision Commission. Negron, a Stuart Republican, announced his list Wednesday in a press release. Gaetz, a Niceville Republican in the Senate 2006-16, and Smith, a Fort Lauderdale […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 11, 2017

There is a profound reason why the Founders gave life tenure to federal judges, subject only to impeachment for bad behavior. As Alexander Hamilton explained it in The Federalist No. 78: “In a monarchy, it is an excellent barrier to the despotism of the prince; in a Republic, it is a no less excellent barrier […]

Tag: Jorge LaBarga
South Ocean Boulevard is staying closed for the time being.

Florida Bar will focus on ‘protecting the courts’ during constitutional revision process

Florida Bar holds annual convention this week

Progressive groups sue over Rick Scott’s judicial appointment power

Martin Dyckman: Judges are not politicians, nor should they play politics

Supreme Court tweaks its ‘senior justice’ rule after controversy

Carlos Beruff: Constitution Revision Commission won’t waste taxpayers’ money or time

Richard Corcoran, Rick Scott still holding on constitutional panel picks

In mock court, UF law students argue case echoing infamous FSU ‘Jane Doe’ lawsuit

Don Gaetz, Chris Smith among Joe Negron’s constitutional review panel picks

Federal judges’ lifetime tenure for good reason; Tallahassee should take note