Barney Bishop

Bill to expand juvenile civil citations raises questions on officer discretion

Published on January 23, 2017 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

A bill to set up a civil citation program for juveniles statewide advanced Monday through a Florida Senate committee. However, questions about removing officer discretion may need to be addressed before the proposal gets widespread support from lawmakers later this Session. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores’ bill (SB 196) would mandate law enforcement officers to offer a civil citation for youths admitting to one of 11 separate misdemeanors: possession of alcohol beverages; battery; criminal mischief; trespassing; theft; retail and farm theft; riots; disorderly conduct;…

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Private task force to look into improving hurricane response

Published on September 14, 2016 in Statewide/Top Headlines by Jim Rosica

In the wake of Hurricane Hermine, an unofficial task force led by former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp plans to look into how Florida communities can better bounce back after a big storm. The blue-ribbon panel is an initiative of Citizens for Responsible Spending, led by Tallahassee lobbyist Barney Bishop III, which came about last year to address Tallahassee’s city budget issues. He plans a press conference 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Florida Press Center. “This private-sector task force is not about reviewing…

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Mitch Perry Report for 2.25.16 – Greatness comes to O-Town

Published on February 25, 2016 in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by Mitch Perry

Well, Carlos Beruff is now officially about to get into the GOP Senate race. Our interview this week with current leader David Jolly has his take. Can we talk about greatness? In Orlando, the Golden State Warriors come to town at 7 p.m. to play the Magic at Amway Center. You may have heard about the Warriors in the past year. With their victory in Miami Wednesday night in a gritty, 6-point victory over the Heat, the defending champions are now…

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What message does Smart Justice Summit send by featuring Angola State prison warden Burl Cain?

Published on December 16, 2015 in Statewide by Peter Schorsch

Florida’s Department of Corrections has had a difficult past few years, with allegations of widespread abuse, neglect, torture and death of inmates under Its watch. Brandishing a list of suspected violations both criminal and civil rights, a coalition of 14 human rights groups is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the DOC. Claims include excessive use of force, misuse of solitary confinement, suicide, starvation, sexual assault, torture by scalding and more. Among this shower of criticism is…

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Today on Context Florida: Prayer & terror, embracing Trump, Smart Justice and the Hour of Code

Published on December 11, 2015 in Apolitical/Top Headlines by Phil Ammann

Today on Context Florida: Bob Sparks discusses the importance of thoughts and prayers in the wake of the terror attacks Nov. 13 in Paris and Dec. 2 in San Bernardino. It is a sorry state of affairs, he says, when a terrorist attack causes liberals to forget who did the killing. Wayne LaPierre and those praying for the dead are not responsible for it. That belongs to Farook and Malik, and those who support them. As Donald Trump’s vote share has…

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Today on Context Florida: Salt Shaker, weird Republicans, do polls matter and suspect vetoes

Published on August 4, 2015 in Apolitical/Top Headlines by Phil Ammann

Today on Context Florida: Steve Vancore applies the Salt Shaker Test to recently released findings from a poll showing strong support for two statewide ballot initiatives being proposed in Florida. The first is John Morgan’s second take on medical marijuana and the other is a $10.00 per hour minimum wage being offered by a group known as “League of Voters, Extraordinaire.” Maybe it’s the excitement of the upcoming candidate debate, the influence of Pluto, or the infernal heat, but Diane Roberts…

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Today on Context Florida: Bridging divides, energy & economy and Robert Avossa

Published on June 30, 2015 in Apolitical/Top Headlines by Phil Ammann

Today on Context Florida: Shannon Nickinson says we should bridge our divides to make America stronger. Flags of the Confederacy — from the “Rebel flag” to the “Stars and Bars” — are a painful fissure, a wound we worried every day we allowed it to fly on public property. “Celebrating” heritage that was largely built on oppression and hate is nothing to be happy about. It is a truth we white folks may not like to acknowledge, but it is true…

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