Popular Elections and Campaigns News

Popular Elections Bills

SB 1372 Government Accountability

SB 0228 Online Voter Application

HB 7143 Online Voter Registration

SB 7064 Elections

HB 1161 Elections

SB 0184 Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot

HB 7035 Presidential Preference Primary

HB 0109 Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

HB 0227 Online Voter Registration

SB 1360 Election Reform

Elections Bills On The Move

HB 1161 Elections

HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

SB 1492 Elections

SENATE Referred to Ethics and Elections; Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Rules

HB 8005 Constitutional Convention/Campaign Finance and Political Speech

HOUSE Now in Local & Federal Affairs Committee

SB 1360 Election Reform

SENATE Now in Judiciary

HB 0971 Absentee Voting

HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

SB 1058 Canvassing of Absentee Ballots

SENATE Now in Rules

HB 0315 Voter Registration

HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

SB 0208 Convicted Felons/Voting Rights and Right to Hold Public Office

SENATE Referred to Ethics and Elections; Judiciary; Fiscal Policy; Rules

SB 1370 Legislative Apportionment And Congressional Redistricting

SENATE Referred to Ethics and Elections; Judiciary; Rules

HB 1027 Legislative Apportionment and Congressional Redistricting

HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

Topic: Ethics Reform

House and Senate respond to financial disclosure case

by Bill Cotterell - 12 months ago - +

The Florida Legislature is defending a year-old state law that allows elected officials to place their assets in a blind trust instead of reporting each investment publicly. Monday, House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz ask the Supreme Court to boot the challenge to blind trusts.

2014 Session Summary: Ethics and Elections

by Bill Cotterell - 13 months ago - +

Legislature did comparatively little to strengthen ethics and election laws. Proposals to allow the public greater access to records and mandating elected officials live in their districts failed to clear the House.

Gov. will release details about his finances

by James Call - 13 months ago - +

Gov. Rick Scott is promising to release his tax returns and hand over whatever financial details are required by the courts.

Coalition urges passage of ethics, open government bills

by Bill Cotterell - 14 months ago - +

Barbara Petersen of the First Amendment Foundation, Joe Chandler of Citizens Awareness Foundation, Dan Krassner of Integrity Florida, and Catherine Baer of the Tea Party want more transparency in government. Photo by Bill Cotterell

There were 250 public records exemptions in 1985, the number could climb nearly to 1,100 if 25 proposed exemptions are passed this year. The First Amendment Foundation, the Tea Party, Integrity Florida and Citizens Awareness Foundation are among those calling for improving access to public records and meetings.

Gov. Askew dies at 85

by Bill Cotterell - 15 months ago - +

The flag on the Old Capitol, where Gov. Reubin Askew served in the 1970s, flies at half-staff Thursday. Askew died at age 85 early in the day./Bill Cotterell, The Florida Current

A leader of the "New South," he championed a corporate income tax and Sunshine Amendment.

Former Governor Askew hospitalized in grave condition

by Florida Current Staff - 15 months ago - +

One of the most respected men to serve as Florida governor was hospitalized Saturday. In the past three months he has endured pneumonia, hip surgery and a stroke.

Session Outlook 2014: Ethics and Elections

by Bill Cotterell - 16 months ago - +

Residency, term limits, ethics training are on House and Senate agendas

Senate Rules panel approves residency definition

by Bill Cotterell - 16 months ago - +

State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, right, talks with Sen. Tom Lee, R-Valrico, after the Senate Rules Committee meeting on Wednesday. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

With the new joint rule on residency, bills in both the Senate and House will amended so they apply to legislators, county commissioners, school board members or other local officials required to live in their political districts. Rule is set for adoption by the House and Senate on March 4.

Pension changes, lobbyist audits included in Gaetz-Weatherford work plan

by Gray Rohrer - 16 months ago - +

Senate President Don Gaetz discusses the Weatherford-Gaetz Work Plan 2014 on Wednesday at the annual AP pre-legislative session meeting while House Speaker Will Weatherford listens. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

The two presiding legislative officers are working on a compromise measure to exempt new law enforcement officials and other first responders from going into a defined contribution pension system. They're also intent on auditing lobbyists.

Ethics Commission settles dispute with Rep. Erik Fresen

by Bill Cotterell - 17 months ago - +

Attorney Juan-Carlos Planas, representing Fresen, speaks to the Ethics Commission before it voted to accept a settlement in which Fresen refused to pay a $1,500 fine. Photo: Bill Cotterell

Miami Republican admits minor reporting error, refuses to pay $1,500 fine for not filing a 2002 financial disclosure report but reaches an agreement with the Commission. The case will be forwarded to the House.

Bill sets criteria for ruling on residency

by Bill Cotterell - 17 months ago - +

Rep. Ray Rodriguez, left, speaks at a news conference Thursday with Sen. Jack Latvala about their bill defining residency for elected public officers who are required to live in their districts. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

Latvala-Rodrigues bill means members must really live in their districts. It proposes criteria for legally proving whether an elected officer is dodging residency requirements.

Political documents included in 2095 time capsule

by James Call - 17 months ago - +

The statewide Viva 500 time capsule was sealed and buried on New Year's Eve. Inside are photos, music and legal documents that will provide insight into Florida circa 2013 when the capsule is opened in 81 years. ... Related Research: Items Contained in the Viva Florida 500 Statewide Time Capsule 2013-2095.

Ethics Commission rejects Fresen stipulation

by Bill Cotterell - 18 months ago - +

Florida Commission on Ethics attorney Diane Guillemette and Juan-Carlos Planos, a lawyer for state Rep. Erik Fresen, negotiate outside the commission's meeting Friday. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

Miami-area lawmaker refuses to pay $1,500 fine that dates back more than a decade for failure to file a financial disclosure form after he lost his job as a legislative aide in 2002. ... Related Research: Dec. 13, 2013 Florida Commission on Ethics meeting materials.

Former Gov. Reubin Askew honored for his service

by Bill Cotterell - 23 months ago - +

Senate President Don Gaetz, left, chats with former Gov. Reubin Askew prior to a ceremony Monday honoring Askew for his many decades of service to Florida. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

Old friends pay tribute to the legendary politician and educator as he gives up his teaching role at FSU's Askew School of Public Administration and Policy in the coming weeks. ... Related Research: Photos of Governor Reubin Askew from the State Archives' Florida Memory Project.