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Jim RosicaOctober 5, 2018

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Jeremiah Hawkes, formerly a top official under Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, is now general counsel of the Florida Senate, its spokeswoman said Friday. Hawkes, who started Monday, will be paid $135,000 a year. He replaces Dawn Roberts, who served as the Senate’s top lawyer under outgoing Senate President Joe Negron. Roberts is returning to her […]

Gary FineoutAugust 29, 2017

Florida taxpayers have already spent $5 million on a state budget website that never went public. Now litigation over the failed project could cost another $200,000. The Florida Senate hired a Tallahassee-based contractor six years ago to create the website to help the public understand the state budget. Legislative officials say it didn’t work as […]

Jim RosicaAugust 22, 2017

An ex-aide to former state Sen. Maria Lorts Sachs has asked a federal court to drop his sexual harassment case against the Florida Senate. Matthew Damsky’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss Tuesday, asking that each side pay for its own attorneys’ fees and costs. The Senate was named as the defendant because it was […]

Jim RosicaJune 22, 2017

You can’t give away some art these days. At least 10 museums or other institutions have declined an offer from the Florida Senate to donate its “Five Flags Mural“—now in storage—that formerly adorned the wall outside the chamber’s 5th floor public and press galleries in the Capitol. “Most cited the size of the mural and […]

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2017

Legislative leaders working behind the scenes are getting closer to putting medical cannabis implementation into the call of this week’s Special Session. For instance, one senator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “some progress” had been made but there was “no deal” as of Monday afternoon. When this week’s Wednesday-Friday Special Session was announced last Friday, […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron has yet to decide to join House Speaker Richard Corcoran in calling for a Special Session on medical marijuana implementation, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. Negron, a Stuart Republican, is still “in the process of having discussions with senators in response to the memorandum he sent last Thursday,” Katie Betta said in […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 2, 2017

State Sen. Dorothy Hukill will be absent from the upcoming committee week as she continues her battle against cervical cancer, a Senate spokeswoman said Thursday. “We expect her to return within a few weeks,” Katie Betta told FloridaPolitics.com. “Until then, she will remain engaged in the legislative process by working remotely as she continues her treatment and recovery.” […]

Jim RosicaDecember 1, 2016

An aide to then-Florida state Sen. Maria Lorts Sachs has sued his former employer, saying she “exposed (him) to unwelcome sexual conduct” by frequently undressing in front of him. Matthew Damsky sued the Florida Senate in Leon County Circuit Civil court this week on gender discrimination and retaliation charges. The 68-year-old Sachs, elected to the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 18, 2016

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The Florida Senate’s chamber renovations should be done by early-to-mid November. Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta tweeted back on Oct. 5: “Chamber Reno Update — About one month to left to go.” She posted photos showing the chamber with redone walls, new desks, and new carpet going down. As planned, the nearly 40-year-old mural that greeted visitors to the […]

Jim RosicaAugust 8, 2016

The Florida Senate’s underground parking garage won’t reopen for another two years, a state spokeswoman said Monday. It’ll be June 2018 before senators and staffers will again be able to park under the Capitol complex, according to Maggie Mickler, spokeswoman for the Department of Management Services (DMS), which oversees the Capitol. Meantime, DMS has been working with the Senate […]

Tag: Katie Betta

Personnel note: Jeremiah Hawkes now state Senate’s top lawyer

Take it to court: Florida Senate sued over doomed website

Maria Sachs accuser seeks to drop harassment case

Absent any takers, Senate mural in limbo

‘Progress’ on getting marijuana in Special Session but ‘no deal’ yet

Still no decision from Joe Negron on marijuana Special Session

Dorothy Hukill extends legislative absence as she fights cancer

Former Maria Sachs aide sues for discrimination, retaliation

Florida Senate renovations near completion

Florida Senate’s underground parking closed for two more years