Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Martin DyckmanOctober 15, 2015

It can be perilous to predict the outcome of a U.S. Supreme Court case by the questions justices ask during the oral argument, but this once I’ll hazard a guess: Florida’s death-sentencing law is in deep trouble. The better question, in fact, is not whether Pensacola killer Timothy Hurst will win his appeal but how […]

Bob SparksOctober 15, 2015

The end of the process for redrawing Florida’s congressional districts is in sight. It may be one cycle late, but if the Florida Supreme Court rules favorably on the recommended final map, candidates and potential candidates can make informed decisions. Last week, Leon County Circuit Judge Terry Lewis signed off on one of seven maps […]

Associated PressOctober 13, 2015

Florida’s unique system for imposing the death penalty is encountering some skeptics on the U.S. Supreme Court. But it was not clear Tuesday whether a majority would find that the state gives judges too much power to decide capital sentences. The justices heard arguments in the case of inmate Timothy Lee Hurst, who was convicted […]

Associated PressSeptember 24, 2015

Standing before a rapt Congress, Pope Francis issued a ringing call to action on behalf of immigrants Thursday, urging lawmakers to embrace “the stranger in our midst” as he became the first pontiff in history to address a joint meeting of the legislators. Referencing the migration crisis in Europe as well as the United States’ […]

Associated PressSeptember 21, 2015

No handshakes, selfies or fist bumps when Pope Francis enters the House chamber for his historic speech to Congress. That’s the message from House and Senate leaders, who in a letter asked lawmakers to refrain “from handshakes and conversations along and down the center aisle during the announced arrivals of the Senate, dean of the […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 20, 2015

The U.S. Senate’s refusal to debate or vote on the Iran nuclear agreement is a national embarrassment. The culprit is clear: the 60-vote threshold required to stop a filibuster. It’s time to end the filibuster, a relic of the past that is contributing to gridlock and dysfunction. This week I sent a letter to Senate […]

Bob SparksSeptember 11, 2015

Most anyone remotely paying attention to current affairs recognizes the name of Kim Davis. Some would relish picking her out of a police lineup. For those avoiding news consumption, Davis is the county clerk of Rowan County, Ky. Davis, a Democrat, was elected in 2014, defeating Republican John Cox with 53 percent of the vote. […]

Bob SparksSeptember 10, 2015

Most anyone remotely paying attention to current affairs recognizes the name of Kim Davis. Some would relish picking her out of a police lineup. For those avoiding news consumption, Davis is the county clerk of Rowan County, Ky. Davis, a Democrat, was elected in 2014, defeating Republican John Cox with 53 percent of the vote. […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 8, 2015

The story of the Port St. Lucie Crosstown Parkway Bridge tells how we lose Florida’s natural beauty, resources, and ecosystems, even if they exist in our Preserve State Parks. It’s the story of a battle that must be fought if we are to save any of them. In 1990, the city of Port St. Lucie […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 4, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday said he won’t break his pledge not to run as an independent if he loses the GOP nomination. Trump was back on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program via telephone. He last appeared Aug. 28. He also called the Iran nuclear deal “disastrous” and said “possibly yes” to taking people […]

Tag: U.S. Supreme Court

Martin Dyckman: Why Florida’s death-sentencing law is likely in trouble

Bob Sparks: Even Florida’s nonpartisan congressional maps are deemed unfair

U.S. Supreme Court reviews Florida’s death penalty

Pope Francis addresses religion, Islamic extremists, immigration in historic speech

No handshakes, fist bumps for pope’s speech to Congress

Vern Buchanan: Time to end the filibuster

Bob Sparks: Some Republicans backing the wrong horse in Kim Davis

Bob Sparks: Some Republicans backing the wrong horse in Kim Davis

Shari Anker: Battle to save 2 preserve state parks teaches statewide lessons

Donald Trump says he won’t run as independent