Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 19, 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh appeared increasingly imperiled Wednesday, in the wake of allegations of sexual assault against him. The federal appellate judge was accused of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford three decades ago at a party when they were in high school, and as Wednesday progressed, partisan lines on the best way forward began to […]

Staff ReportsJuly 3, 2018

It’s almost Independence Day, which in Florida means: Time to scare some birds. Although you can buy fireworks in the state, they’re not actually legal here. Indeed, The Tampa Tribune in 2014 called fireworks sales in Florida an “institutionalized charade,” leading one lawmaker to call for “more freedom (and) less fraud.” Retail sales are allowed only […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 13, 2018

A bill that would change the rules for franchise agreements was temporarily postponed by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. SB 1076, sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Greg Steube, would give franchise owners more rights when it comes to selling their business or leaving it to an heir, and would also give Florida owners home field […]

Michael MolineFebruary 6, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday stripped assignment of benefits legislation of an attorney-fee provision despised by the insurance industry. But that didn’t satisfy industry objections to the overall bill. And that really annoyed a couple of key senators. An amendment to CS/SB 1168 by Judiciary Committee chairman Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, eliminated language […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 6, 2018

A Senate bill that would put a constitutional amendment expanding the Chief Financial Officer’s duties on the ballot cleared its second committee stop Tuesday. SB 792, sponsored by Brandon Republican Sen. Tom Lee, would have the CFO participate in economic, demographic, and revenue estimating conferences. It would also require the CFO to review and certify […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 30, 2018

On Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee will be the first Senate panel to mull the sanctuary cities ban bill (HB 9) that passed the House already. And one of the House co-sponsors of that measure — Jacksonville Republican Jay Fant, a candidate for Attorney General — sent an email to supporters last night, urging them […]

Ana CeballosNovember 7, 2017

A proposal that would give firearm dealers the option to use credit cards when paying for potential buyers’ background checks advanced a Senate committee on Tuesday. Gun advocates praised the bill and said the move would “bring us into the modern age.” “This is something that can be done quickly, inexpensively and it just makes […]

Associated PressAugust 3, 2017

Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are moving to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s job, putting forth new legislation that aims to ensure the integrity of current and future independent investigations. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware plan to introduce the legislation Thursday. The bill would […]

Associated PressApril 4, 2017

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Several men painfully recalled being beaten and sexually abused at a north Florida reform school as the state begins the steps to formally apologize for the horrors they endured more than 50 years ago. A Senate bill to recognize the abuse at the now-shuttered Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna was unanimously approved […]

Darryl PaulsonMarch 29, 2017

Until 1987, presidential nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court were respectfully received and reviewed by the U.S. Senate. In 1986, Antonin Scalia, a judicial conservative and constitutional originalist, was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a vacancy on the court. He was confirmed 98 to 0 by the U.S. Senate. The confirmation process imploded in […]

Tag: Senate Judiciary Committee

Bill Nelson: FBI needs to investigate Brett Kavanaugh sex accusations

Florida’s bizarre fireworks law still in place

Franchise bill halted in second committee

Senators lash out at insurance industry during hearing on AOB reform

Senate panel advances proposed constitutional amendment changing CFO duties

Jay Fant presses Senate on sanctuary cities legislation ahead of bill’s first committee hearing

Bill that would bring gun dealers into ‘modern age’ advances

Bipartisan Senate bill aims to protect special counsel’s job

Reform school horrors relived as Florida prepares an apology

Darryl Paulson: On Neil Gorsuch; both parties should just grow up!