Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2017

The Florida Senate has passed a change to the state’s “stand your ground” law that would make it easier for criminal defendants to claim self-defense. It was approved on a 23-15 vote during Wednesday’s floor session. Specifically, the bill would require prosecutors to prove “that a defendant is not immune from prosecution.” The bill (SB 128), […]

Mitch PerryMarch 13, 2017

A raft of bills that would reform Florida’s criminal justice system sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes were approved by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday. That included legislation that would create a criminal justice task force (SB 458) consisting of 27 members that would take a “holistic” review of the state’s criminal justice system, including (but […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

No Northeast Florida incumbents face competitive races in 2018. Yet the fundraising continues anyway, as February evidenced. Notable for performance: two Northeast Florida political committees that cleared the $100K threshold for February money. And one Clay County legislator who had a strong month. ____ One of the PACs that hit six figures: “Build Something That […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017

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A Senate bill that would allow plaintiffs to recover prejudgment interest on noneconomic claims, including pain and suffering, was suddenly postponed during its final review panel Thursday. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, moved to yank the bill (SB 334) from consideration during its public comment period before the Rules Committee. When done during […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 9, 2017

Former State Rep. Charles McBurney opened a campaign account Mar. 1 to start his race for a judgeship in Florida’s 4th Circuit. Currently, McBurney is unopposed for the 2018 election. Of course, last time the Jacksonville Republican was up for a judgeship (via gubernatorial appointment), by appointment in 2016, he faced an opponent more powerful than any […]

Staff ReportsMarch 7, 2017

The 2017 Legislative Session kicked off Tuesday with Gov. Rick Scott’s penultimate “State of the State” address, and speeches from Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran. — “This session represents Florida’s best chance yet for solving an ongoing environmental catastrophe that affects millions of Floridians. For nearly 20 years, scientists have agreed that a […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 7, 2017

The ‘Stand Up for North Florida‘ group released a television ad Tuesday, designed to call attention to what it calls “the threat of the South Florida land buy, proposed by Senators Joe Negron and Rob Bradley, to the limited conservation funding resources available to the North Florida region.” The group, which includes Rep. Jay Fant, has […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 5, 2017

Florida’s “stand your ground” law, a source of contention for years, could soon provide even more protection to people who invoke it. Some lawmakers want to make prosecutors prove a defendant wasn’t acting in self-defense before proceeding to trial. Florida has been a leader in giving citizens immunity in cases of self-defense, with its “stand […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

It’s never too early in the day to start fundraising. Sen. Denise Grimsley is scheduled to hold a fundraising reception for her 2018 bid for Agriculture Commissioner at 7:30 a.m. on March 7 at Florida Finance Strategies, 111-B East College Avenue in Tallahassee. The reception, according to a copy of the invitation, is hosted by […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2017

A wide-sweeping gambling bill is now ready to be heard by the full Senate when the 2017 Legislative Session kicks off next month, after it cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning. The bill (SB 8), sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano, ratifies the 2015 Seminole Compact, subject to the approval of amendments to conform the […]

Tag: Rob Bradley

Senate passes fix to ‘stand your ground’ law

Criminal justice reform task force and other reform bills advance in Florida Senate

Lenny Curry, Rob Bradley committees and Travis Cummings pace Northeast Florida February fundraising

Senate Rules panel temporarily postpones prejudgment interest bill

Charles McBurney files for 4th circuit judgeship

Capitol Reax: Opening Day of the 2017 Legislative Session

‘Stand Up for North Florida’ releases TV ad criticizing Lake O land buy

State could flip burden of proving ‘Stand Your Ground’

Bring on the orange juice: Denise Grimsley schedules breakfast fundraiser for March 7

Senate Appropriations votes 14-2 to OK gambling bill, now cleared for Senate floor