Gardiner Reveals Top Priorities

The Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald and other major news sources reported on Senate President Andy Gardiner’s top legislative priorities, including:  Medicaid, the environment, claims bills against state or local government, medical marijuana, gambling and pension reform.  Regarding the environment, the Times reported that hearings will be conducted on Amendment 1 and how best to…

Grant Qualifies, Main Opponent Drops Out

Jamie Grant faces a write-in candidate in the April 21, 2015 general election and will be, unless lightning strikes, returning to the Florida House of Representatives.  His primary opponent Miriam Steinberg refused to pay the qualifying fee – arguing that her qualifying fee paid in the general election, which was the subject of a lawsuit…

Fullwood Set to Return to House

Rep. Reggie Fullwood easily cruised to victory in the House District 13 special election.  He won 63.7% of the vote in the primary election and 57% in the general election.  The Florida Democratic Party openly supported Fullwood in the primary.  He easily swept the general against Jeff Jefferson, an unknown, underfunded Republican candidate.  The Republican…

How Should Judicial Candidates Raise Money?

Can the integrity of Florida’s elected judges be protected by recusals and campaign contribution limits or is the judicial canon banning direct contribution solicitation by candidates still needed? That’s one of the arguments the U.S. Supreme Court was set to consider on January 20 (after this News went to press) when it had scheduled oral…