Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

William PatrickMarch 15, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran began his two-year speakership in November by promising a “transformational leap” in government accountability and transparency. “The Florida House will set the standard for others to emulate,” he declared. Such pronouncements are often uttered by politicians, especially those who may aspire to higher office. But one week into Florida’s annual legislative session the […]

Associated PressFebruary 9, 2017

A push by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to limit how long top judges can remain on the bench is moving in the Florida House. A divided House panel on Thursday approved a measure (HJR 1) that would ask the state’s voters to approve a 12-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices and appeals court […]

Scott PowersMay 26, 2016

A judge ruled Thursday that Orange County had no authority to make the elections of constitutional officers nonpartisan contests, striking down the results of a 2014 ballot issue that did so. Those offices are now partisan again. Circuit Court Judge Keith White ruled in Orange County that the question put before county voters in the Nov. 2014, […]

Jim RosicaMay 23, 2016

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State Rep. Richard Corcoran announced Monday he had qualified to run for his House District 37 seat. Corcoran, slated to be Speaker when the next Legislature convenes, said in an email he had gathered and turned in “more than the 1,113 petitions necessary.” On Monday, the Division of Elections’ website showed Corcoran had the required 1,113 verified signatures […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 11, 2016

The Florida Senate is sending two messages to Congress: Set term limits for senators and representatives, and condemn efforts to boycott Israel. The chamber passed both resolutions this week. The first asks Congress to support a constitutional amendment to set term limits for its members. It doesn’t suggest what limits should be imposed. The second […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

Shades of 1990s Republicanism from the Carlos Lopez-Cantera senatorial campaign, with his pledge to only serve two terms rendered on Wednesday. “I have long believed term limits ensure new ideas and fresh perspectives in government, and I am committing to only serving two terms in the U.S. Senate. Too many politicians get to Washington, become part of […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

Voter-approved term limits, perhaps even more than the advent of minority-access districts or the lobbyist gift ban, have radically transformed legislative business in Tallahassee. Their enactment during the Gov. Jeb Bush administration turned future election cycles into rigid leadership game theory boards and, some say, placed a limit on the institutional knowledge of lawmakers, who often become lame […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 4, 2016

A little-used method of updating the U.S. Constitution recently got a boost from a top presidential contender. On Wednesday, Marco Rubio said he would support convening a convention of states to amend the Constitution. The obscure process, outlined in Article V of the Constitution, is a convention of state legislatures to propose amendments to the […]

Associated PressNovember 20, 2015

A Democratic House member and a Republican Senator want voters to expand term limits for state lawmakers from eight to 12 years. House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford and Sen. Rene Garcia undo bold Thursday that they’ll ask the Legislature to place a measure on the 2016 ballot asking voters to loosen the current term limits. They […]

Jim RosicaNovember 18, 2015

In a legislative equivalent of a Hail Mary pass, the Democratic leader of the GOP-controlled state House has filed legislation to extend the terms of state lawmakers from eight years to 12 years. State Rep. Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach submitted the bill (HJR 711) on Wednesday for the 2016 Legislative Session. The change would require amending the state […]

Tag: term limits
A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the Pro-Palestinians protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

House Speaker Richard Corcoran making good on transparency, accountability promises

Term limits for top Florida judges clears first hurdle

Judge strikes down 2014 Orange County ballot issue that made elections nonpartisan

Richard Corcoran qualifies for 2016 ballot via petition

Senate urges federal term limits, condemns Israel boycotts

Carlos Lopez-Cantera makes 2-term pledge

Senate panel approves term limits extension resolution

Marco Rubio backs little-used method to amend Constitution

Lawmakers seek to expand term limits from 8 to 12 years

Mark Pafford proposes extending legislative term limits