Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaJune 14, 2017

Chalk it up to “passion.” Or politics. Gov. Rick Scott, speaking to reporters after a Wednesday bill signing, explained away the open tension between him and House Speaker Richard Corcoran after the House this year tried to gut VISIT FLORIDA and do away with economic development organization Enterprise Florida, his two favored state agencies. By […]

Staff ReportsApril 12, 2017

The power, resiliency and efficiency of digital radio and other next-generation services are driving the need to modernize public safety communications networks toward internet protocol (IP) and broadband. In this new multi-service, all-IP era, backhaul, the critical communications links between first responders and the backbone network that connects all statewide public service agencies and command […]

Les NeuhausMarch 7, 2017

In an effort to promote public safety, a state legislator filed a bill widening by a far margin the state’s use of body cameras by the law enforcement community at large. State Rep. Al Jacquet filed HB 513 Monday. The bill would, if enacted, require officers to wear and use body cameras while conducting routine traffic […]

Tag: law enforcement
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

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

Rick Scott: No hard feelings between him and Richard Corcoran

Behind the radio: A critical network component for Florida public safety

Bill would require LEOs to wear body cameras during traffic stops