Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineFebruary 14, 2018

newsEngin.17546509_Mary-McLeod-Bethune.jpg

A bill OK’d Wednesday would clear the way for a likeness of Florida educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace one of a Confederate general representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol. The House Appropriations Committee unanimously cleared the measure (HB 139), making it available for the floor. The Senate version (SB 472) also cleared the floor […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018

Legislation to replace a statue of a Confederate general representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is heading to the Senate floor. The bills (SB 472, SCR 184), which cleared their final committee Thursday, would replace the likeness of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith with educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. “Dr. Bethune received the unanimous vote of the members […]

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2017

Ed. Note — This story, originally published Wednesday, was updated Thursday night. Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum has called for the removal of a Confederate monument in front of the Historic Capitol. “In the wake of Charlottesville, people all around the country are grappling with how we deal with our nation’s history […]

Drew WilsonAugust 17, 2017

Screen-Shot-2017-03-31-at-3.50.39-PM.png

Lantana Democratic Rep. Lori Berman sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott Thursday asking him to call a special session to replace Florida’s statue of a Confederate General at the National Statuary Hall in Washington. Each state gets two slots to fill in the statuary hall and Florida’s current picks are Dr. John Gorrie of […]

Jim RosicaJune 21, 2017

The General abides. With lawmakers taking no action this year, a bronze statue of a Confederate general representing Florida shall remain indefinitely in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Two competing bills died this Legislative Session. One called for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith. […]

Jim RosicaApril 6, 2017

Former and current black lawmakers took to the Old Capitol steps Thursday to call for a likeness of educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune to replace a statue of a Confederate general now in the U.S. Capitol. Led by Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, and surrounded by alumni members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha […]

Jim RosicaJune 23, 2016

Alas, former Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow will not be immortalized in marble or bronze anytime soon. At least not in the U.S. Capitol. Nor will Miami Herald columnist and novelist Carl Hiaasen, adult film star and Florida native Riley Reid and former Gov. “Jeb Bush‘s political career (not him, his career).” They were among nominees proposed by members of […]

Brendan FarringtonJune 22, 2016

Either the African-American woman who founded what’s now Bethune-Cookman University, the founder of Publix supermarkets or the woman credited with saving the Everglades will replace a Confederate general’s statue that represents Florida in the U.S. Capitol. The three Floridians were selected Wednesday by a committee that reviewed 130 recommendations made by the public. The Legislature […]

William MarchFebruary 21, 2016

A proposal to remove a statue of a Confederate leader at the National Statuary Hall is generating speculation among Florida legislators about whose image should replace it. Legislation to replace the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith doesn’t propose a successor. Smith’s place in history is due to his being the last officer to surrender […]

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Among the country’s lower 48, Florida was a land of almost unequaled promise. Surrounded by navigable waters, the peninsula’s unique geography and pristine natural beauty beckoned all to visit and emigrate–and thrive. Mother Nature shined on the state, along with women like Marjory Stoneman Douglas (who saved the Everglades) and Barbara Capitman (who saved South […]

Tag: Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Mary McLeod Bethune statue proposal heading to House floor

Rebel yell: Confederate statue bill moves to full Senate

Andrew Gillum: Get rid of Capitol’s Confederate memorial

Lori Berman wants special session to yank Confederate statue from D.C.

With no legislative action, Confederate statue remains in U.S. Capitol

Perry Thurston, others want Confederate statue issue resolved

Tim Tebow, others cut from replacement statue list

Florida now has three suggestions to replace Confederate statue

Legislators speculate on great Floridian for Capitol statue

Stephen Goldstein: 17 sensible initiatives to make Florida world-class