Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 27, 2016

Before the end of this Session, the Florida Senate will pass a reform of death penalty laws, Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Greg Evers vowed Wednesday after hearing legal experts say Florida’s system needs reform even without the recent U.S. Supreme Court two weeks ago ruling that struck down part of it. Evers also declared, “the state of […]

Bob SparksJanuary 14, 2016

On Tuesday night, the U.S. House and Senate gathered in a joint session to hear President Barack Obama deliver his final State of the Union address. Tuesday morning, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate also convened in joint session for Gov. Rick Scott’s State of the State remarks. These speeches normally provide a roadmap […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 14, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. That ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

Martin DyckmanJanuary 13, 2016

Nothing else that government does costs as much as the death penalty in order to accomplish so little. This ought to concern even the most conservative legislators as they cope with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision Tuesday, in Hurst v. Florida, that the state’s capital sentencing process is unconstitutional. The choice now is to […]

William MarchJanuary 7, 2016

A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could affect whether prisoners are counted in drawing voting districts in Florida, an issue that affects voting power particularly in rural areas of the state. The American Civil Liberties Union and several Jefferson County residents charge the county used “prison-based gerrymandering” in drawing its five […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 30, 2015

Florida had been a state for less than a century when it came time to honor famous citizens with two statues at the U.S. Capitol, and there were few plausible candidates. Dr. John Gorrie, the physician who invented mechanical refrigeration – imagine modern Florida without it – was an outstanding choice. But from today’s perspective, […]

Martin DyckmanDecember 29, 2015

Florida had been a state for less than a century when it came time to honor famous citizens with two statues at the U.S. Capitol, and there were few plausible candidates. Dr. John Gorrie, the physician who invented mechanical refrigeration – imagine modern Florida without it – was an outstanding choice. But from today’s perspective, […]

Associated PressDecember 22, 2015

An appeal court has tossed out a Florida judge’s order that a newspaper remove transcripts of telephone conversations from a story on its website about a jailhouse “snitch” and his cooperation with prosecutors. The 4th District Court of Appeal sided Tuesday with The Palm Beach Post. Newspaper attorney Martin Reeder argued that Circuit Judge Jack […]

Guest AuthorDecember 17, 2015

At one point, a black university (generally known as historically black colleges and universities: HBCU) was comparable to a high school in academic worth, even aspiration. Schools had to attempt a Herculean struggle to give black students something that amounted to an education because of Jim Crow intransigence. But once black schools got free of […]

Peter SchorschDecember 13, 2015

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is “disgraceful” and a “disappointment” to conservatives, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Saturday, while praising Associate Justice Clarence Thomas as his favorite member of the high court. “Justice Roberts really let us down. What he did with Obamacare was disgraceful, and I think he did that because he […]

Tag: U.S. Supreme Court

Greg Evers vows state Senate will reform Florida’s death penalty law

Bob Sparks: U.S. Supreme Court adds to Legislature’s “to do” list

Martin Dyckman: U.S. Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Martin Dyckman: Supreme Court ruling should prompt Legislature to abolish death penalty

Group challenges inclusion of prisoners in voting districts

Many Floridians of note deserve U.S. Capitol honor

Martin Dyckman: Many Floridians of note deserve U.S. Capitol honor

Court reverses judge on paper’s use of “snitch” transcripts

Chris Timmons: Perhaps “lesser schools” do alright

Trump: John Roberts “disgraceful” on high court; Clarence Thomas favorite