Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2017

State regulators this week rejected a request to install high-tech beer and wine vending machines in South Florida, a proposal opposed by lawmakers and industry groups. A Miami-Dade company had sought an OK from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) to offer what it calls “self-checkout micro marts” with wine and beer. The day after Christmas, however, ABT director […]

Peter SchorschDecember 16, 2017

Some send letters to Congress, others pray. When it comes to DACA, some Floridians do both. DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is the “government program that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation,” as NBC News explains it. In Florida, the effort to push Congress to pass a replacement for the Obama-era program was […]

Peter SchorschDecember 10, 2017

A coalition of progressive and open government organizations is again taking the state’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) to task, this time for “glaring examples of rule violations” and calling the panel’s conduct “a travesty.” Leaders of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Florida First Amendment Foundation, the League of Women Voters Florida and […]

Peter SchorschDecember 2, 2017

If you fly in and out of Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) this holiday season, you may have cause to panic. A staffing snafu has left thousands of American Airlines flights without pilots and in danger of cancellation. But the airline is reassuring passengers that their holiday season travel plans are still good to go. While […]

Peter SchorschNovember 18, 2017

The head of the panel now eyeing the state’s constitution for changes says “more than 50 percent of the 103 proposed constitutional revisions filed by (its) commissioners represent public ideas.” Carlos Beruff, chair of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), this week recounted how his board “traveled the state listening to Floridians and reviewed thousands of […]

Peter SchorschNovember 11, 2017

After Hurricane Irma walloped the state — and wrecked people’s houses, apartments and mobile homes — there has been a renewed push from state housing groups to protect the state’s affordable housing programs. That includes efforts to stop lawmakers from taking money from the state’s housing trust fund, which sets aside money for state housing […]

Peter SchorschNovember 4, 2017

After a puppy was beaten to death in Volusia County earlier this year, the fight to give animal abusers harsher penalties is gaining momentum at the state Capitol. And if passed, those who are convicted could be banned from owning or contacting animals. It all began in April when neighbors heard a racket coming from […]

Peter SchorschOctober 28, 2017

The good news, according to the latest Mason-Dixon Florida poll: “Florida voters give Gov. Rick Scott positive ratings for his handling of the state during Hurricane Irma.” The bad news? “Floridians may hesitate to evacuate next time.” Statewide, 35 percent rated the governor’s performance as “excellent,” while 31 percent rated it “good,” 25 percent said […]

Peter SchorschOctober 21, 2017

A panel of U.S. district judges this week hit two Jacksonville law firms with $9.1 million in sanctions for filing “non-viable” tobacco lawsuits. “On the rare occasion when attorneys undermine that integrity and trust, there must be consequences,” their 148-page opinion begins. “This is one of those rare occasions.” It singled out The Wilner Firm […]

Peter SchorschOctober 14, 2017

From the “In Case You Missed It Department”: While you were focused on legislative committees this week, the House Republican Caucus quietly installed the next Speaker in a hotel basement. Jose Oliva, a Miami Lakes Republican, will lead the GOP-controlled chamber in 2018-20, following Richard Corcoran, assuming the Republicans hold a majority after the next […]

Tag: miami dade county

State just says ‘no’ to booze from vending machines

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Praying for DACA?

Takeaways from Tallahassee — A ‘travesty’ in Tallahassee?

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Stuck in TLH with you?

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Carlos Beruff’s ‘constitutional’ angst

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Irma batters affordable housing

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Seeking justice for puppies

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Irma good news/bad news

Takeaways from Tallahassee — When lawyers break bad

Takeaways from Tallahassee — The rise of Jose Oliva