Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 18, 2016

A panel of federal judges Monday shot down U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown‘s challenge of Florida’s congressional redistricting. In a 26-page order, the three judges said Brown had “not proven (her) case and that defendants are entitled to judgment in their favor.” The defendants include the League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause and others who last year forced a […]

Jim RosicaMarch 25, 2016

A lawyer for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown on Friday told a panel of federal judges that Florida’s new congressional map flies in the face of 100 years of history and would do violence to the voting rights of her black constituency. William Sheppard argued that the former district, which meanders from Jacksonville through Gainesville to Sanford, follows […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

Lawyers for the state of Florida filed their response to a lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida nearly three weeks after a federal judge shot down their request to toss the case out. Among highlights of the filing: The state denies that the lawsuit was properly filed in Tallahassee and says “nothing in the […]

Associated PressJanuary 7, 2016

A federal judge is siding with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in an ongoing lawsuit that could affect the tribe’s casinos. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Wednesday rejected a request by state officials to dismiss the lawsuit the Seminoles filed last October. The tribe filed the lawsuit after the expiration of a five-year deal […]

Mitch PerryJune 26, 2015

Rick Santorum isn’t the only social conservative Republican comparing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Friday effectively legalizing same-sex marriage to the Dred Scott decision. The 1857 ruling by the high court that found that blacks were not American citizens. “Regardless of how it appears, today’s decision is not the final word on marriage,” John Stemberger […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 14, 2015

I live in paradise. A broad, blue river runs through my city, crossed by seven bridges – three or four of them works of art in themselves. The skyline at night, sparkling in the mirror-blackness of the St. Johns, never fails to take my breath away. I love Jacksonville as I would a member of […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 14, 2015

I live in paradise. A broad, blue river runs through my city, crossed by seven bridges – three or four of them works of art in themselves. The skyline at night, sparkling in the mirror-blackness of the St. Johns, never fails to take my breath away. I love Jacksonville as I would a member of […]

Marc YachtJanuary 6, 2015

In August a federal judge struck down Florida’s same sex marriage ban. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle noted in his ruling that his is now one of 19 federal courts that have struck down state laws that bar gay and lesbian couples from marrying. Gay marriage opponents continue to raise barriers to same-sex couples desiring […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2015

At approximately 12:11 p.m. today, Hillsborough County Clerk of the Courts Pat Frank wound down her official duties in officiating over the mass same-sex marriage ceremony in downtown Tampa’s Joe Chillura Park. “By virtue of the authority invested in me, under the laws of the state of Florida, I now pronounce you joined in matrimony,” she […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 2, 2015

Court clerks around Florida are beginning to announce plans to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples next week following a federal judge’s ruling. Many clerks were reluctant to issue the licenses, and some feared they might face criminal charges. But U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s ruling on New Year’s Day clarified that all 67 Florida […]

Tag: Robert Hinkle

Court rejects Corrine Brown’s bid to throw out Florida congressional map

Corrine Brown’s lawyer argues that old district lines follow historical precedent

State responds to Seminole Tribe federal lawsuit

Federal judge rejects bid to toss Seminole Tribe lawsuit

John Stemberger latest conservative to compare gay marriage ruling to Dred Scott decision

Julie Delegal: Axe Handle Saturday dims; Civil Rights Saturday shines

Julie Delegal: New milestone joins Axe Handle Saturday – Civil Rights Saturday

Marc Yacht: Gay marriage 'Taint nobody's business' except the couple's

Over a hundred same-sex couples get married in downtown Tampa

Florida clerks plan for gay marriages Jan. 6