Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2016

After the Pulse tragedy, gun control talks predictably spiked. The gun lobby trained its sights on proposals that supposedly kneecapped the Second Amendment. Weary anti-gun violence crusaders petitioned Congress to holster massacres by doing something — anything. Shouting, pleading, debating, cajoling, exhorting — and a brief political theater revival of circa ‘60s sit-ins — appallingly […]

Scott PowersJune 27, 2016

Dueling responses on the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest abortion law ruling, from Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, his Democratic challengers U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy others, show how divisive the issue remains between the major parities. In a 5-3 decision, the court tossed both parts of a Texas law that is similar to one approved […]

Jim RosicaJune 27, 2016

In a decision that could reverberate in Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that clamped down on abortion access because it “unduly burden(s)” women’s reproductive rights. The court announced its 5-3 decision Monday in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. It was one of three final opinions released before the justices go on […]

Mary Jo MeloneJune 23, 2016

Social etiquette requires that I not speak ill of the dead, but when the dead man was a U.S. Supreme Court Justice — namely, Antonin Scalia — speaking ill (civilly, although that is not in fashion) is an absolute necessity. Especially now. After Orlando. Scalia defended criminalizing gay sex because many people don’t like gays. […]

Martin DyckmanJune 10, 2016

Assume that Pam Bondi were a judge. That’s a dismal prospect but bear with it. Assume further that she asked for a campaign contribution from a big shot businessman who was being sued in her court — and that after getting the money, she dismissed the case. If she was a judge, instead of Florida’s […]

Mark FerruloJune 8, 2016

Before the ink on newspaper headlines had even dried about the Feb. 13 passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said that the Senate should not consider any U.S. Supreme Court nominee until 2017, after a new President is sworn in. Since then, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has joined McConnell in […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

A plethora of high-profile matters is scheduled for argument before the Florida Supreme Court next week. The state’s justices will consider questions related to gambling, guns, capital punishment and medical malpractice. Another case involves claim bills, passed by lawmakers to pay people for injuries suffered at the hands of government or a public entity. Still two others involve attorneys […]

Darryl PaulsonMay 21, 2016

On May 18, 2016, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump releases a list of 11 judges that he would “most likely” use to select his appointees to the Supreme Court. The list of 11 names included 11 whites and eight males. Six of the 11 were appointees of George W. Bush, and the other five are […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2016

How many times can Department of Corrections officials tick off Greg Evers before they’re really in for it? The Republican state Senator from North Florida has been on a one-man crusade against the department. Evers chairs the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, which has held hearings about the agency’s ability and integrity. Evers, a farmer from Baker, has even made some unannounced […]

Guest AuthorApril 18, 2016

The Obama Administration is applying a full-court press on the issue of the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy created by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. President Barack Obama made the case for his nominee last week at the University of Chicago Law School, an institution that the White House said “helped shape his dedication to […]

Tag: U.S. Supreme Court

Darryl E. Owens: SCOTUS hits mark for domestic violence with disarming Voisine ruling

Abortion ruling responses contrast U.S. Senate candidates

Supreme Court abortion decision could affect Florida

Mary Jo Melone: What a guy — Antonin Scalia on hate, guns and gridlock

Martin Dyckman: Pam Bondi’s mess too pungent to ignore

Mark Ferrulo: Crippling the Supreme Court

Bevy of big cases awaits state Supreme Court

Darryl Paulson: Donald Trump goes a-courting

Peter Schorsch: Irritated senator, no love for Guv, panther numbers

Jesse Panuccio: The Supreme Court and the rule of law