Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJuly 15, 2017

Talk about being “busted.” A Tallahassee attorney who fronted “large sums of money” to a professional poker player is suing after the player lost over $22,000 of that bankroll in unauthorized side gambling, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Hal Lewis is a name partner in the Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay personal-injury law […]

Peter SchorschJuly 1, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam sent out his occasional warning Friday in advance of “projected record-breaking travel this Independence Day” on credit card skimmers at the gas pump. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which regulates gas pumps, “found and removed 276 credit card skimmers so far this year.” Skimming “is a type of credit […]

Peter SchorschJune 24, 2017

State Sen. Aaron Bean was at his carnival-barker best this week—including some surprises—when he spoke to teens attending this year’s American Legion Boys State at Tallahassee’s Civic Center. The idea of the non-partisan event is to “gain hands-on experience to leadership by taking part in the political process through role-play civic exercises,” its website explains. VISIT […]

Peter SchorschJune 17, 2017

Couched in the latest crime statistics is a sobering reality: “The attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando helped drive up Florida’s murder rate in 2016 to its highest level since 2008.” The Associated Press noted that fact as Gov. Rick Scott trumpeted this week that “Florida’s crime rate is now at a 46-year low,” according […]

Peter SchorschJune 10, 2017

Earlier Friday, the same day lawmakers approved the implementing bill for the state’s constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, an appellate court handed marijuana growers a loss. The 1st District Court of Appeals held that identities of investors and partners in medical marijuana companies aren’t trade secrets. It remanded back to Circuit Judge Charles Dodson, however, […]

Peter SchorschJune 4, 2017

A nasty squabble between two brothers, both owners of Tallahassee’s Governors Inn, is now the subject of a lawsuit filed in Leon County. First, some explanation: The 34-year-old inn, described by its website as “a 41-room boutique hotel located just steps from Florida’s Capitol … in what was originally a livery stable,” isn’t owned by […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2017

A U.S. appeals court ruling that federal law doesn’t bar smokers from using a landmark Florida Supreme Court decision from proving damages gave a smile to one former Florida judge. The 11th Circuit on Thursday said plaintiffs and their survivors can use the “Engle tobacco class action’s jury findings to establish strict liability and negligence […]

Peter SchorschMay 13, 2017

The opposition to the “whiskey and Wheaties” bill has surged to 2,572 emails, 173 phone calls and nine letters, according to the latest tally from Gov. Rick Scott‘s office. In support are 315 emails, 64 calls and six letters. The legislation would allow retailers to remove the ‘wall of separation’ between hard liquor and other […]

Peter SchorschMay 6, 2017

Editor’s note: FloridaPolitics.com comprehensive list of the Winners and Losers emerging from the 2017 Session will be published after Sine Die. Arthenia Joyner may no longer be in the Legislature, but she finally was able to see a prized piece of legislation pass. This week, the House unanimously approved the “Compensation of Victims of Wrongful […]

Peter SchorschApril 29, 2017

Just before 5 p.m. on Friday, the deadline to apply for the open position of secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, the fill-in guy filed. Ryan Matthews, the interim secretary, wants the job permanently. “We are in a unique position to continue moving Florida forward when it comes to environmental restoration, conservation and protection,” he […]

Tag: takeaways

Takeaways from Tallahassee — You gotta know when to fold ’em

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Don’t get ‘skimmed’

Takeaways from Tallahassee — That time Aaron Bean ‘chickened out’

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Pulse killings bump up Florida’s murder stats

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Medical marijuana wins one, loses one

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Governors Inn fight heads to court

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Tobacco decision cheers one former judge

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Opposition mounting to ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Arthenia Joyner’s bill delayed, but not denied

Takeaways from Tallahassee — Ryan Matthews applies for DEP top spot