Category Florida Legislature
Critical Criminal Justice reforms move forward
HB 783, the progressive Criminal Justice reform legislation sponsored by Rep. Katie Edwards (D-Plantation) advanced through the Criminal Justice Committee Monday afternoon. The legislation is predictably supported by the state’s public defenders but opposed by prosecutors throughout the state. Rep. Edwards has worked with Republicans, some of which believed her proposal was too far reaching […]
Monday Musings – West Palm Beach Mayoral Race, Pat Bainter and the Gainesville Commission, Kristin Jacobs emerging as a statewide star, Need for Primaries, Battle of Natural Bridge Anniversary
Both Florida and Palm Beach County Democrats are crowing about West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio’s big victory. Certainly the Palm Beach County party deserves loads of credit for activating its electoral infrastructure and defeating Kimberly Mitchell who would have emerged quickly as a state GOP star by such a large margin. Mitchell’s extensive family and […]
Where the FDP and House Caucus stand today
With the 2015 Legislative Session in full swing the focus has shifted from political legislative considerations. Still the Florida Democratic Party is chugging along hiring Philip Thompson as Deputy Executive Director and lauding Jeri Muoio’s West Palm Beach Mayoral reelection, though the party had little to do with her success. The continued emphasis on rules reform […]
Monday Musings: Orlando painted purple, Rep. Edwards op-ed and Governor Scott’s PR problems
Katy Burnett is on assignment this week in Tallahassee. This weekend was Orlando City SC’s first MLS game. I attended the first MLS game for both the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny and (Fort Lauderdale) Fusion FC. Those two clubs are the only two MLS teams to ever go out of business in the league’s […]
#HB7003 and The Legislature’s Problem with Good Science
Even though most of the headlines this week came from the notorious ‘Bathroom bill’ and the fallout from the passage of blatant discrimination of the transgendered citizens of this state by the Republican members in the house, the passage of the water #HB7003 was passed , with only 9 Democrats standing against the bill. Even […]
Progressives need to back important Criminal Justice reforms
Two weeks ago we applauded the efforts of Rep. Katie Edwards (D-Plantation) to reform the Criminal Justice system as it deals with juveniles in a logical and humane way. HB 783 will likely be given a hearing this coming week in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. The legislation which as we outlined in our previous […]
Why are GOP legislators rushing to move the Florida Presidential Primary?
Two words – Jeb Bush. On Monday, legislators rushed through the House Ethics and Elections Committee a measure that would move Florida’s Presidential Primary back to March 2016 from its current late January date. The Senate passed a similar measure quickly through committee. For years, the Florida Primary was a critical moment in the nomination […]
EDITORIAL: Large scale gambling has no place in our Florida
House Majority Leader Dana Young (R-Tampa) has had an active couple of days. After being solicited by the Florida Democratic Party for a donation, she formed a Legislative Brewing Liberty Caucus (regardless of your perspective on craft breweries the state has much more pressing issues) and now has filed a bill that would lead to […]
Awake The State Orlando rally targets Senate President Gardiner
For the fifth consecutive year, “Awake The State” rallied working Floridians and those who care about good government across Florida on the opening day of the legislative session. Activists and concerned citizens in Central Florida rallied in front of Senate President Andy Gardiner’s district office. In wake of the most recent scandals involving Republican officeholders, […]
State of the State: Fluff, Awkwardness, and Mark Pafford’s Rhetorical Questions
Rick Scott tried to prepare us for the rambling speech by opening with a joke about his speaking skills. Unfortunately, it did not help or make it any less painful. The state of the state was flat, boring, and the openly-cued clapping was cringe-worthy. Rick Scott tried to put forward an idea of “Florida exceptionalism” […]
The Florida Squeeze 