Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorAugust 15, 2018

Florida gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam’s campaign has come under fire over his support from the National Rifle Association, with Putnam infamously referring to himself as a “proud NRA sellout.” Now that he has accepted the endorsement of the anti-LGBT Florida Family Policy Council (FFPC), Putnam can add “proud hate group sellout” to his resume. Rep. Frank White, a Republican candidate […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2018

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the James Madison Institute were among the groups discussing this year’s iteration of the Caruthers Institute report “Stepping Up: Florida’s Top Juvenile Pre-Arrest Diversion Efforts” on a Tuesday morning conference call. Dewey Caruthers, president of The Caruthers Institute, which conducts the study, […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 15, 2018

More than 1,100 children were prosecuted as adults in Florida last year — taken from their homes, removed from their schools, and locked up in adult jails. Although children’s brains are still developing, and they cannot fully understand the consequences of their actions, our criminal justice system treats some of them like grown adults. They […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 7, 2018

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill by Sarasota Sen. Greg Steube, SB 1168, that the Consumer Protection Coalition said would “do little to protect consumers” from Assignment of Benefits abuse. The group said it prefers HB 7015 by Rep. Jay Trumbull, which includes modifications to one-way attorney fees which proponents say […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 24, 2018

An organization that has earned its reputation for going after white supremacist and hate groups said Wednesday it is demanding more information on the recent deal struck between federal immigration authorities and 17 Florida sheriffs departments. Under the agreement, ICE agreed to pay participating sheriffs departments to hold undocumented immigrants who may be eligible for […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2017

While red-leaning states like Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana have made significant criminal justice reforms over the past decade, Florida’s GOP-led Legislature has stood still. Thirty-three states have implemented such reforms since 2007, while Florida’s prison population continues to grow, with the state now spending more than $2.4 billion a year to incarcerate nearly 100,000 people […]

Joe HendersonOctober 17, 2017

Richard Spencer is clean cut, casual but professional, a disarming look for one of the most prominent faces in what is becoming a crowded field of racism in the United States. His scheduled appearance Thursday afternoon the University of Florida prompted Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency, in case things get out […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 6, 2017

Even as Jacksonville’s Mayor and City Council President stand shoulder to shoulder during storm prep pressers, they diverge on another storm of a different matter. That storm is a Category 5, but of a different type: namely, the future of the city’s Confederate monuments. Council President Anna Brosche was provided an inventory by Jacksonville’s Parks […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 7, 2017

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For an indication of the seismic change in the office of 4th Circuit Public Defender Charlie Cofer, look no further than his just-announced appearance at a late April panel. The panel: “Better Justice Florida: A Forum on Criminal Justice Reform.” Among the focuses of the Apr. 29 event at the Florida Coastal School of Law: Florida’s […]

Mitch PerryMarch 6, 2017

There are numerous criminal justice reform bills already moving in committees in the Florida House and Senate this year, and on Monday a nonpartisan coalition called The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform announced its formation on the eve of the 2017 Legislative Session kicking off on Tuesday. The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform includes the Southern […]

Tag: Southern Poverty Law Center

Martha Haynie: Adam Putnam, Frank White should rescind endorsements from anti-LGBT hate group

Strides made in pre-arrest diversion programs; gaps in schools, rural counties persist

Scott McCoy: Children do not belong in adult jails

Capitol reax: AOB, Publix PrEP, campus ‘free speech,’ criminal justice, Rick Scott

Southern Poverty Law Center demands more info on ICE deal with sheriffs

Tampa panel talks criminal justice reform ahead of Session

Joe Henderson: Richard Spencer at UF is emergency all right

As Irma looms, Confederate monument debate gets pushback in Jax City Hall

Charlie Cofer panel appearance signals real difference in Jax Public Defender office

Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform formed as legislative session formally begins