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 […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2017

Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-day Session March 7, legislators are expected to pass, or kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from abortion to gambling and the environment. So far, more than 2,000 bills have been filed, but in the end, legislators usually pass fewer than 300 pieces of legislation each year. […]

Michael MolineFebruary 21, 2017

Bills that would require unanimous jury votes to impose the death penalty, and ask voters whether to impose term limits on appellate judges, were headed to the House floor following their approval Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee. The death penalty bill attracted a single “no” vote, and that was from Democrat Joe Geller, who said […]

Michael MolineFebruary 9, 2017

A House committee voted Thursday to approve three proposals to tie the hands of Florida’s judiciary, including a proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on judges of courts of appeal and Supreme Court. Altogether, the measures would limit appellate judges to two six-year terms; remove a judicial education program from the Supreme Court’s supervision; […]

Michael MolineJanuary 12, 2017

A House panel began talking Thursday about imposing term limits on judges — and also reviewed how quickly the courts are clearing their caseloads. Judicial term limits failed in the Legislature last year, but House Speaker Richard Corcoran has declared the issue an important priority. Heather Fitzenhagen, chairwoman of the Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, said […]

Jim RosicaMay 4, 2016

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Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady has qualified to stand for this year’s judicial merit-retention election, state records show. The Division of Elections posted the update Wednesday. He’s the last of the three justices to qualify who are up for merit-retention votes. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga had qualified Monday and Justice Ricky Polston qualified Tuesday. Canady and Polston make up the court’s […]

Jim RosicaMay 3, 2016

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Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and a raft of other appellate judges have already qualified to run for this year’s merit-retention election. The state’s Division of Elections posted the results online. In order of district, here are the judges who will stand for merit retention: 1st District Court of Appeal (Tallahassee): Ross Bilbrey, Susan Kelsey, Lori S. Rowe, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2016

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; but there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. Mudville, in this case, is Tallahassee. And Casey is a stand-in for […]

Jim RosicaMarch 1, 2016

A House initiative to place term limits on state Supreme Court justices and appellate judges was assigned to three committees of reference in the Senate late Tuesday: Judiciary, Ethics & Elections, and Rules. Under Senate rules, though, “Unless approved by the President, no committee shall meet after the fiftieth (50th) day of a regular session except the Rules Committee.” Tuesday was […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 24, 2016

A judicial term limits initiative that is stalled in the Senate barely passed out of the House Wednesday. The House approved the measure (HB 197) on a 76-38 vote. Because imposing term limits on appellate judges and justices requires changing the state constitution, it needed three-fifths of the House, or at least 72 votes. A […]

Tag: judicial term limits

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

Guns, gambling and taxes: Legislators return to work

Judicial term limits, death penalty bills clear final House committee votes

House panel approves three measures tamping down on the judiciary

House civil justice subcommittee takes up judicial term limits

Charles Canady qualifies for Supreme Court retention election

Jorge Labarga, other judges qualify for merit-retention election

Peter Schorsch: No joy in Mudville, the Legislature struck out

Judicial term limits bill likely dead in Senate

House passes judicial term limits in close vote