October 8, 2015 •
Hillsborough County, Florida Commissioners Vote to Create Lobbyist Registration Office
County commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Chairwoman Sandy Murman to increase transparency for those who are paid to lobby the Commission. An Office of Professional Lobbyist Registration will be created within the county attorney’s office and the county attorney […]
County commissioners unanimously approved a motion by Chairwoman Sandy Murman to increase transparency for those who are paid to lobby the Commission. An Office of Professional Lobbyist Registration will be created within the county attorney’s office and the county attorney will draft amendments to the existing ordinance.
Currently, lobbyists must register prior to each meeting with an official, but many do not adhere to this requirement. The new ordinance will require notice of visits by lobbyists to be posted online and the registration office will be responsible for enforcement.
Chairwoman Murman stated she wants the ordinance to focus on paid lobbyists, excluding volunteers from the requirements.
August 24, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Fails to Agree on New Congressional Districts; Adjourns Special Session
A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month. The failure to […]
A special session of the legislature adjourned Friday, August 21, 2015, without an agreement on a new congressional district map. Florida’s supreme court ruled the current map unconstitutional, forcing lawmakers to return to Tallahassee earlier this month.
The failure to reach an agreement likely means the new map will be drawn by the courts. Gov. Rick Scott could force the legislature back into session before a court hearing on Tuesday, August 25, but he has stated he would not do so.
July 29, 2015 •
Third Special Session Announced for Florida Lawmakers
A third special session of the year has been called in Florida so lawmakers can redraw potentially unconstitutional Senate district lines. The session will take place from October 19 to November 6, 2015. The Florida Supreme Court has already ruled […]
A third special session of the year has been called in Florida so lawmakers can redraw potentially unconstitutional Senate district lines. The session will take place from October 19 to November 6, 2015.
The Florida Supreme Court has already ruled the House district map unconstitutional, prompting a special session in August to redraw the lines. The court has yet to instruct the Legislature on the Senate map, but changes will be made preemptively based on the ruling.
A trial was set to begin in September following a lawsuit filed by The League of Women Voters and Common Cause claiming the Senate map violates the Fair District amendment of the Florida Constitution.
July 21, 2015 •
Special Session Called in Florida to Approve New Congressional District Map
A special session of the Legislature will be held next month for lawmakers to approve a new congressional district map. The state’s supreme court recently invalidated the current map and created a 100-day deadline to complete changes. The special session […]
A special session of the Legislature will be held next month for lawmakers to approve a new congressional district map. The state’s supreme court recently invalidated the current map and created a 100-day deadline to complete changes.
The special session will be held from August 10 to August 21, 2015.
Nine districts are in need of reconfiguration but the 5th and 13th are expected to change the most.
June 22, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Approves Budget, Adjourns Special Session
The Florida Legislature adjourned its three-week-long special session Friday, June 19, 2015 after reaching an agreement on the state’s budget. Lawmakers returned June 1 after failing to pass a budget during the regular session due to a disagreement over Medicaid […]
The Florida Legislature adjourned its three-week-long special session Friday, June 19, 2015 after reaching an agreement on the state’s budget.
Lawmakers returned June 1 after failing to pass a budget during the regular session due to a disagreement over Medicaid expansion.
The bill now rests with Gov. Rick Scott who has 10 days to sign it.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
May 28, 2015 •
Miami-Dade County to Launch Online Lobbyist Registration System
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts has announced a new online lobbyist registration system will launch on June 1, 2015. Current lobbyist information will be transferred to the new system and lobbyists will receive temporary log in information via email […]
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts has announced a new online lobbyist registration system will launch on June 1, 2015.
Current lobbyist information will be transferred to the new system and lobbyists will receive temporary log in information via email in order to create a profile.
This release only affects registration; however, plans to incorporate expenditure reporting are forthcoming.
May 8, 2015 •
Florida Legislature Announces Special Session Dates
The Florida Legislature will return for a special session from June 1 to June 20, 2015. Among the topics on the agenda is the state budget, a major point of contention between the two chambers. The House recently adjourned the […]
The Florida Legislature will return for a special session from June 1 to June 20, 2015. Among the topics on the agenda is the state budget, a major point of contention between the two chambers.
The House recently adjourned the regular session early, citing an insurmountable disagreement with the Senate over expanding Medicaid.
A compromise must be reached prior to July 1, the beginning of the state’s fiscal year.
May 4, 2015 •
Florida Senate Joins House in Adjournment
The Florida Senate adjourned sine die on May 1, 2015, three days after the House abruptly ended its session early citing an impasse with the Senate over budget issues. Senate democrats, believing the move was in violation of the state […]
The Florida Senate adjourned sine die on May 1, 2015, three days after the House abruptly ended its session early citing an impasse with the Senate over budget issues.
Senate democrats, believing the move was in violation of the state constitution, filed a lawsuit with the state supreme court seeking a writ of mandamus to order the House back into session. While the court agreed the early adjournment was a clear violation, all seven justices concurred there was no plausible way to order the House back with so little time left in the session.
Nonetheless, democratic leaders lauded the ruling as important guidance for the future.
April 29, 2015 •
Supreme Court Upholds Florida Restriction on Judicial Campaign Solicitations
The Supreme Court today upheld a Florida campaign finance restriction prohibiting judicial candidates from personally soliciting donations. In a 5-4 decision, the Court rejected First Amendment concerns, ruling states may choose to elect their judiciary but are not required to […]
The Supreme Court today upheld a Florida campaign finance restriction prohibiting judicial candidates from personally soliciting donations. In a 5-4 decision, the Court rejected First Amendment concerns, ruling states may choose to elect their judiciary but are not required to treat judicial candidates like politicians.
Though candidates may not solicit contributions, the Florida law allows others, such as campaign managers and friends, to do so on their behalf.
Chief Justice Roberts stated the case was a rare instance where the state, in trying to maintain the integrity of the bench, has a compelling interest in restricting speech.
April 28, 2015 •
Florida House Unexpectedly Adjourns Over Dispute with Senate
Citing an impasse with the Senate over Medicaid expansion, the Florida House abruptly ended its session today. With three days left in the scheduled legislative session, the Senate may choose to stay through Friday. The Senate has insisted on discussing […]
Citing an impasse with the Senate over Medicaid expansion, the Florida House abruptly ended its session today. With three days left in the scheduled legislative session, the Senate may choose to stay through Friday.
The Senate has insisted on discussing the expansion of Medicaid during budget negotiations, but the House has refused to do so.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli stated he plans to return for a special session to resolve the conflict prior to a July 1 deadline.
Photo of the Old and New Florida State Capitols by Infrogmation on Wikimedia Commons.
November 25, 2014 •
Florida Governor Sets Special Election Dates for House District 64
Gov. Rick Scott has announced the special election dates to fill the Florida House District 64 seat. The special primary will be on February 10, 2015 with the special general set for April 21. The seat remains vacant following the […]
Gov. Rick Scott has announced the special election dates to fill the Florida House District 64 seat. The special primary will be on February 10, 2015 with the special general set for April 21.
The seat remains vacant following the House’s rejection of the results from November’s election. An appeals court ruled a write-in candidate, Daniel John Matthews, was wrongfully removed from the November ballot.
The non-binding election results showed incumbent Republican Jamie Grant with 59.5 percent of the vote.
November 17, 2014 •
Florida Governor Sets Dates for Special Elections
Gov. Rick Scott has announced the dates for three special elections after state Sen. John Thrasher left his seat to become president of Florida State University. The other two elections are to fill the House seats of those seeking the […]
Gov. Rick Scott has announced the dates for three special elections after state Sen. John Thrasher left his seat to become president of Florida State University. The other two elections are to fill the House seats of those seeking the open Senate spot.
Special primary elections will be held on January 27, 2015, and the special general elections on April 7, 2015. The affected House districts are Districts 17 and 24, while Thrasher vacated the Senate District 6 seat.
November 6, 2014 •
Tallahassee Passes Ethics Code Referendum
Tallahassee voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum creating a city ethics code and new campaign finance restrictions. An independent ethics board will be appointed by the city to assist with the development and enforcement of the code. Additionally, the code creates […]
Tallahassee voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum creating a city ethics code and new campaign finance restrictions. An independent ethics board will be appointed by the city to assist with the development and enforcement of the code.
Additionally, the code creates a $250 cap on campaign contributions to candidates for city commissioner. Initial appointments to the board must take place within 90 days and the city has six months from election day to enact the ethics code.
October 2, 2014 •
Supreme Court Will Review Florida Judicial Campaign Finance Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed today to hear the case of a former Florida judicial candidate disciplined for violating state law by soliciting campaign contributions in 2009. Lanell Williams-Yulee, who ran for county court judge in Tampa, argues the law […]
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed today to hear the case of a former Florida judicial candidate disciplined for violating state law by soliciting campaign contributions in 2009. Lanell Williams-Yulee, who ran for county court judge in Tampa, argues the law violates her right of free speech.
Currently, Florida and 29 other states prohibit judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign contributions. Courts are split on the issue with some saying such bans protect the integrity of the courts by ensuring judges remain impartial upon winning election.
A ruling is expected in June 2015.
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