Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2017

The Florida House has approved extend the state’s lobbying ban on former lawmakers and statewide elected officers from two to six years. With no debate, House members on Friday voted 110-3 for the measure (HB 7003), a priority of House Speaker Richard Corcoran. The bill now heads to the Senate. If signed into law, the measure would […]

Jim RosicaMarch 2, 2017

A North Florida judge used as an example by a House panel looking into impeachment of public officials has been suspended for six months by the Florida Supreme Court. The court’s 46-page decision, released Thursday, also orders 3rd Circuit Judge Andrew Decker to get a public reprimand and pay investigative costs. A judicial misconduct hearing panel had recommended […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 22, 2017

Is Florida’s judicial ethics commission about to become collateral damage in a battle over the independence of the courts? House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Land O’Lakes Republican, appears to have targeted the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) along with the courts themselves in his campaign to curb the independence of the judiciary. The JQC and the […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 21, 2017

A measure to increase the ban from two years to six years on former lawmakers and statewide elected officers lobbying their colleagues after leaving office is now cleared to be considered by the full House of Representatives. The House Rules and Policy Committee OK’d the measure (HJR 7001) unanimously on Tuesday. As its second and final review […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2017

In yet another rejection of a policy backed by conservative lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Supreme Court Thursday “declined” to change the state’s expert evidence rule to one used by federal courts and most states. “We decline to adopt the Daubert Amendment to the extent that it is procedural, due to the constitutional concerns raised, which must […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 14, 2017

A new House panel on Tuesday moved two measures aimed at tightening ethics requirements at the local government level. The Public Integrity and Ethics Commitee, chaired by Yalaha Republican Larry Metz, OK’d proposals (PCB PIE 17-03, PCB PIE 17-04) that would increase local officials’ financial disclosure, clamp down on potential conflicts of interest and create a Local Government Lobbyist […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 13, 2017

State Sen. Greg Steube wants to add prosecutors and public defenders to the list of officials that the House of Representatives can impeach. The Sarasota Republican’s measure (SJR 904), filed Monday, would require a constitutional amendment that has to be passed by 60 percent of voters statewide. The state constitution now authorizes the House to impeach the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 24, 2017

A new House ethics panel on Tuesday unanimously approved two measures as part of Speaker Richard Corcoran’s new “culture of transparency.” One (PIE 17-01) would increase the ban on former lawmakers and statewide elected officers lobbying their colleagues after leaving office from two years to six years by way of a constitutional amendment. The other […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2016

State Rep. Larry Metz says Parkinson’s disease is “not going to affect (his) future.” Metz, a Yalaha Republican who represents House District 32 in Lake County, revealed his diagnosis during a Monday interview for an opening on the Florida Supreme Court. The 61-year-old, a lawyer in private practice, did not make the final cut. On Tuesday night, he told FloridaPolitics.com he didn’t “want […]

Jim RosicaNovember 28, 2016

The third round of interviews of Florida Supreme Court applicants on Monday brought several revelations, including state Rep. Larry Metz’s disclosure that he has Parkinson’s disease. Metz, a Yalaha Republican, shared his diagnosis with members of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission at the end of his interview. “I don’t think it’s an issue,” Metz […]

Tag: Larry Metz

House passes 6-year lobbying ban on former lawmakers, others

Supreme Court suspends judge considered by House impeachment panel

Judicial ethics watchdog could suffer in fight for independent Florida courts

House lobbying ban extension cleared for floor

Supreme Court rejects evidence standard supported by Rick Scott, lawmakers

House panel takes on impeachment power, local government ethics reforms

Bill would let House impeach prosecutors, public defenders

House panel OK’s lobbying ban extensions, won’t impeach judge

Parkinson’s won’t stop me, Larry Metz says

During Supreme Court interview, Larry Metz discloses he has Parkinson’s