Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 30, 2018

Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren is condemning what he describes as a misleading and inaccurate attack ad against gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. The television ad in question features several county sheriffs accusing Gillum, a Democrat, of siding with “radicals” and supporting plans to gut law enforcement and prisons. “The [Ron] DeSantis campaign is playing dirty […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 20, 2018

In the bare-knuckled GOP primary race for Attorney General, former Hillsborough Circuit Judge Ashley Moody played up law enforcement backing to distinguish herself from opponents. Now the nominee, Moody continues to bank law enforcement endorsements — including from the other side of the aisle. Moody’s campaign rolled out a list Thursday of 14 more sheriffs endorsing her, […]

Ryan NicolSeptember 5, 2018

Representatives from Florida’s Fusion Centers, which are aimed at sharing information between state agencies to assess potential threats, admitted the organization had no information on Nikolas Cruz before February’s shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. That’s despite a series of red flags identified by the FBI, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and school officials prior to the attack. […]

Scott PowersMay 31, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham is rolling out her criminal justice reform platform to include reduced sentencing for non-violent offenders, decriminalization of minor marijuana possession, tighter rules for charging juveniles as adults, and a new level of review for death penalty prosecutions. In a news release issued by her campaign Thursday, Graham contended that Florida […]

Staff ReportsApril 25, 2018

Call it instant karma. A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper’s car was intentionally struck as she was conducting a regular traffic stop. With minor sustained injuries, she pursued and apprehended the offender. On Tuesday night, FHP Trooper Vanessa Franceschi was parked along a portion of the Florida Turnpike in Miami-Dade County when a suspect in another […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 24, 2018

Just days ago, 17 people, mostly teenagers, were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. There were warning signs, and one of them was an online posting under the shooter’s name that dictated “I’m going to be a professional school shooter” on a YouTube video. These types of threats can be a critical indicator that […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 22, 2017

Donors are demanding their money back from former state Senator (and still current candidate for Governor) Jack Latvala. However, the Fraternal Order of Police still stands by its endorsement of the Pinellas senator whose sexual harassment and intimidation became national news. And the next time the police union may review the decision will be in February — weeks […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2017

It’s time to deal with privacy in the age of Alexa, Sen. Jeff Brandes says. The St. Petersburg Republican has filed legislation (SB 1256) to protect the expectation of privacy in the use of cell phones and other microphone-enabled household devices. The surge in sales of “smart speakers” like Amazon’s Echo, with its “Alexa” cloud-based voice service, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 4, 2017

A change to the state’s “lost and found” law could help needy Floridians, its sponsor says. State Rep. Bobby Olszewski, a Winter Garden Republican, filed a bill (HB 851) to allow “lost or abandoned personal property” at a “theme park or entertainment complex” to be donated to charity. Specifically, his measure—which also includes zoos, museums and aquariums—allows […]

Associated PressJuly 26, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wants the state’s highway patrol troopers, wildlife officers and law-enforcement agents to get another pay raise. Scott announced the proposal Wednesday during a visit to a Florida Highway Patrol station in Jacksonville. This year legislators agreed to give the state’s nearly 4,000 sworn-law enforcement officers a 5 percent raise. Scott wants to […]

Tag: law enforcement
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Andrew Warren slams Ron DeSantis for false attack ad

Crossing the aisle: Democratic sheriffs endorse GOP’s Ashley Moody for A.G.

Florida Fusion Centers had no info on Nikolas Cruz prior to shooting

Gwen Graham justice reform emphasizes juvenile justice, inequity, sentencing

Trooper struck during traffic stop, chases down offender

Amy Mercer: It is not illegal to threaten a school shooting in Florida

Fraternal Order of Police still standing by ‘true champion’ Jack Latvala

Jeff Brandes wants privacy protection for Echo, Google Home

Bill tweaks state law on theme parks’ ‘lost and found’

Gov. Scott proposes $30M for state law enforcement recruitment, retention