Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Darryl PaulsonFebruary 16, 2016

The passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 3, has created an opportunity for both the executive and legislative branches to work together. If they can’t, American politics will face a crisis of enormous magnitude. That is how serious the situation has become. Whether liberal or conservative, most agree that Scalia was a […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 15, 2016

Sunday was Valentine’s Day. And what did those sweethearts in the Legislature give to the ladies of Florida? A swift kick in the ovaries. Rep. Charles Van Zant’s HB 865 would shut down all abortion clinics, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and make abortion a felony. Zygotes are citizens, too. […]

Ryan RayFebruary 15, 2016

Amid a political firestorm surrounding the nomination process to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson floated a modest proposal: appoint fellow liberal populist Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Grayson’s campaign released a statement Monday afternoon saying Warren would be an ideal candidate to shake up the high court’s delicate balance, wherein four conservatives have […]

Associated PressFebruary 15, 2016

The presidential election just got real. The unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia — and the immediate declaration from Republicans that the next president should nominate his replacement — adds even more weight to the decision voters will make in November’s general election. For months, the candidates have espoused theoretical, sometimes vague, policy […]

Associated PressFebruary 13, 2016

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia kept your attention, whether you liked him or not. He was a big personality who rather enjoyed the spotlight, and he did not often shy from controversy. Scalia deeply influenced a generation of conservative legal thinkers and was a lightning rod for criticism from the left almost from the moment […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2016

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is cheering the U.S. Supreme Court, a day after they agreed in a 5-4 decision to halt enforcement of President Obama‘s sweeping plan to address climate change until after the resolution of legal challenges. “This U.S. Supreme Court order is a huge victory for Florida families, businesses and the rule of law,” […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 9, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Associated PressFebruary 9, 2016

Legislation requiring a unanimous verdict from the jury to recommend the death penalty will head to the state Senate floor after passing a committee vote Monday. The Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee passed its version of a bill (SB 7068) that would revise Florida’s sentencing process for the death penalty. The Legislature is tasked with rewriting […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 8, 2016

His reputation as a harsh critic of the Voting Rights Act and an advocate for corporations preceded John Roberts to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2005. As chief justice, he said, he would be like a baseball umpire impartially calling balls and strikes. “Umpires don’t make the rules. They apply […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 29, 2016

Last of three parts When asked which death row inmates could be affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Jan. 12 ruling, “Hurst v. Florida,” Jacksonville criminal defense attorney Gray Thomas says, theoretically, “all of them.” The penalty-phase procedure that gives the judge the final word was written into Florida law after the U.S. Supreme Court […]

Tag: U.S. Supreme Court
Golf ball and golf club in bag on green grass

Darryl Paulson: The Antonin Scalia battle: The stakes have seldom been as high

Diane Roberts: Legislators celebrate Valentine’s Day by working to limit women’s options

Alan Grayson to Barack Obama: Nominate Elizabeth Warren to Supreme Court

Supreme Court vacancy is tangible test for 2016 candidates

Justice Antonin Scalia kept your attention, whether you liked him or not

Pam Bondi cheers Supreme Court halting President Obama’s Clean Power Plan

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Bill requiring unanimous verdict for death penalty in Florida advances

Martin Dyckman: Justice John Roberts has hurt minorities, consumers, democracy

Julie Delegal: More questions than answers after court’s death-penalty ruling