Politics & Law
Canadian diplomat dubious over Florida’s plans to import cheaper pharmaceuticals
A Canadian diplomat is pouring cold water on Florida’s hopes to import cheaper pharmaceutical drugs from Canada on a mass scale. “We do sympathize with Florida’s situation, but we want to get the point across that the Canadian market, while safe and secure, is just too small to make a real impact on U.S. drug […]
Two Florida justices move closer to joining a federal appellate court
The nominations of Florida Supreme Court Justices Barbara Lagoa and Robert Luck as federal appellate judges are headed to the U.S. Senate floor, after winning support from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. Without debate, Luck cleared the Senate panel in a 16-6 vote, while Lagoa’s nomination was endorsed in a 18-4 vote. The opposition […]
Water wars: FL blames Georgia for the demise of its prized oyster population in Apalachicola Bay
Attorneys for Georgia and Florida are returning to the courtroom Thursday for a proceeding that could have major impact on southwest Georgia farmers who rely on the Flint River to water their crops. Both sides will argue their cases before a New Mexico judge, kicking off a new chapter in a decades-long dispute over a […]
DeSantis asks Florida Supreme Court to clarify whether felons must pay legal costs before having their voting rights restored
Former felons who have not paid all of their fines or restitution costs should not be allowed to vote, despite a new state constitutional amendment allowing felons to register if they have completed their sentences, a lawyer for Gov. Ron DeSantis argued Wednesday before the Florida Supreme Court. The Republican governor has asked the state’s […]
Disciplinary confinement in prison should be a “last resort,” and FL inmates must have basic rights
Following a series of inmate beatings and continued concerns about conditions at Florida’s state prisons, State Rep. Dianne Hart has filed legislation related to basic rights for inmates. Those rights include proper ventilation in housing units and at least 20 minutes for inmates to eat a meal. In addition, a warden’s approval must be obtained […]
Keeping Florida’s pension fund financially healthy won’t be cheap
When lawmakers start examining Florida’s massive state pension system in the 2020 legislative session, the numbers may look daunting. That’s because key retirement officials recently agreed on a recommendation to reduce the pension fund’s “assumed rate of return” from 7.4 percent to 7.2 percent. The change may look small, but it’s significant, potentially impacting state […]
State workers’ union seeks 5 % pay increase; some workers rely on public assistance because of obscenely low wages
A major state workers’ union says it will be seeking a 5 percent annual pay increase for its employees when it begins negotiations with the state on Friday. Representatives of AFSCME Florida say most rank-and-file state workers have not had a raise in three years. “Another year without a raise would be punch in the […]
Removed from office: FL sheriffs mum after Israel case; Former AG Butterworth calls it a sad situation
The dramatic removal of an elected sheriff by the governor of Florida begs the question of what message this conveys to sheriffs in the age of mass shootings. But sheriffs across Florida have largely been mum, raising concerns about whether an atmosphere of fear may exist about other sheriffs being removed in the future. Bob […]
What could you do with $18-million?
Florida State University Athletic Director David Coburn confirmed Monday that fired FSU football coach Willie Taggart would get a buyout of about $18-million. That’s right, $18-million. The original deal was a six-year contract worth $30-million, through Jan. 31, 2024, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. That kind of money could help struggling students who need tutoring; […]
Measure to let independent voters participate in Florida primaries moves closer to the 2020 ballot
A group that wants to let voters decide whether to allow “jungle primaries” in Florida is closing in on its goal of collecting enough voter signatures to place the constitutional amendment on the 2020 ballot. All Voters Vote Inc. has recorded 753,438 validated signatures with the state Division of Elections as of Monday, just short […]
Gov. DeSantis attempting to wash hands of Ukraine scandal figures
Gov. Ron DeSantis insists he is done discussing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, the Rudy Giuliani associates who contributed to his campaign last year and now face federal charges of steering overseas money into the U.S. political process. Asked during a news conference Monday about his relationship with the pair – implicated along with Giuliani […]
Florida’s leaders love our environment, but they love money more
Florida’s leaders must hate Florida. Oh, they claim to love the place, rhapsodizing on the beauty of our springs, our lakes, our rivers, our forests, our beaches, and our seas. They vow to save the Everglades, turn back red tide, tackle toxic green algae, protect our wildlife, and make sure our water stays clean. Except […]