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Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Unelected Supreme Court chastises House members for unelecting themselves

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Politicians who disagree with Supreme Court rulings frequently point out that the justices are “unelected.” That’s true on both the federal and state levels. Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli echoed that disdain with comments after a majority of Florida Supreme Court justices agreed with an opinion written by Justice Barbara Pariente, who wrote that the House, under Crisafulli’s leadership, “clearly violated the Constitution” when it adjourned three days early. That ruling came in response to a lawsuit by Democrats. Crisafulli…

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Session is over: Supreme Court rules against Senate Ds

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The Supreme Court of Florida on Friday refused to grant a writ of mandamus to Senate Democrats who were seeking to compel the Florida House to return to Tallahassee to finish the 2015 regular legislative session. But five of the seven justices opined that the House’s actions violated the state Constitution as the Democrats argued. In a unanimous ruling, the court denied the write of mandamus because Democrats failed to show that the issuance of the writ of mandamus “would…

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Bill Day’s latest: Gone fishin’

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Editorial cartoonist Bill Day sharpens his pencil to mark the “official” sine die of Florida’s 2015 legislative session. While today would usually be filled with post-hanky drop celebrations throughout the Florida Capitol and along Adams Street, there is no joy tonight in Mudville (otherwise known as Tallahassee). On Tuesday, the House abruptly adjourned its session, hightailing it out of town three days early. The lower chamber’s disappearing act left the Senate hanging — with a full agenda, a long list of…

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Jeff Brandes leaves Tallahassee with impressive bill record

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Florida state Sen. Jeff Brandes is home from Tallahassee with a list of accomplishments this session. Of bills he proposed, at least nine are on their way to the governor for a signature. One of the bills Brandes is most excited to see make its way to Rick Scott’s desk is the Local Government Pension Reform bill. Senate Bill 242 is what Brandes says “looks like a minor bill, but will have a huge impact.” If the House version of the bill, HB 1309,…

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Florida House ordered to respond to sine die lawsuit by 10 a.m. Friday

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On Thursday afternoon, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner asked the Florida Supreme Court to order the House to return Friday, the session’s last regularly scheduled day. The Court responded by ordering the House until 10 a.m. Friday to respond to the petition. The Democrats will then have until 12:30 p.m. to answer the House’s reply. The complaint alleges the House’s action was unconstitutional. Florida’s Constitution includes a provision that neither chamber can adjourn for more than 72 hours during the…

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Senate Dems sue House in Florida Supreme Court for early sine die

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Senate Democrats have filed an emergency petition with the Florida Supreme Court asking the justices to deliver an expedited ruling on whether the House of Representatives violated the state Constitution when they abruptly adjourned on Tuesday. Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner and members of the Democratic Caucus walked from the Senate Office Building at the Capitol to the Supreme Court. The suit was filed by Democratic members  Joyner, Oscar Braynon, Joseph Abruzzo, Maria Sachs, Darren Soto, Christopher Smith, Geraldine Thompson, Jeff…

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Senate president, House speaker exchange letters as budget dispute deepens

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Instead of a Doctor of the Day, when the Florida House and Senate next meet, maybe they should consider a psychologist, counselor or mediator. After an exchange of insults and letters Wednesday it became even more uncertain when the two chambers will be able to begin budget negotiations. The gulf between the Florida House and Senate became wider Wednesday after Senate President Andy Gardiner sent House Speaker Steve Crisafulli a letter stating the House adjournment on day 57 of the…

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