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Frederica Wilson: No Transit Money for States with ‘Stand Your Ground’

Submitted by Anonymous on June 13, 2012 - 7:17am

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, announced Tuesday she would introduce next week a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at forcing states to repeal their Stand Your Ground laws.

Her bill calls for the federal government to withhold transportation funding to states that have Stand Your Ground laws.

I have been disturbed by the murder of Trayvon Martin for many months, Wilson stated in a release.

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Disaster-Area Status Sought for Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties

Submitted by Nancy Smith on June 12, 2012 - 8:39pm

In a letter late Tuesday, Northwest Florida legislators asked Gov. Rick Scott to immediately declare water-ravaged Escambia and Santa Rosa counties natural disaster areas.

"As you are aware, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were hit over the weekend with large amounts of rain causing widespread flooding and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes," the letter read.

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'Stand Your Ground' Task Force Has First Public Meeting

Margie Menzel News Service of Florida

June 12, 2012 - 6:00pm

Gov. Rick Scott's appointed Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection held its first public hearing Tuesday morning near Sanford, the site of the Trayvon Martin shooting that spurred the new look at the state's self-defense law.

The panel is charged with studying the 2005 Stand Your Ground law, which says people out in the streets have no duty to try to retreat before shooting someone to death in self-defense. The committee is expected to report its findings to Scott and the Legislature.

Beautiful Dream

June 12, 2012 - 6:00pm

The Ordinary American, RIP

Kathleen Parker

June 12, 2012 - 6:00pm

WASHINGTON -- Among the lessons of this presidential election season, perhaps most salient is that the so-called Ordinary American is dead.

Cynthia Lorenzo Stepping Down at Economic Opportunity

Submitted by Anonymous on June 12, 2012 - 4:39pm

Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Operating Officer Cynthia Lorenzo, who helped oversee the states effort to streamline unemployment, tourism, economic development and community affairs into a single agency, is stepping away from the job.

Lorenzo submitted her resignation Tuesday, claiming she plans to spend more time with her family.

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Florida Disputes Judge Jackie Fulford’s ‘Meat-Cleaver’ Pension Ruling

Jim Turner

June 11, 2012 - 6:00pm

Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford incorrectly interpreted the state Constitution when striking down the law requiring that state workers contribute to their taxpayer-funded pension, contend attorneys for Gov. Rick Scott.

Former Justice Raoul Cantero, representing the state, wrote in the 44-page brief for the Florida Supreme Court that legislative appropriations supersede collective bargaining or that the state plan shouldnt be considered a taking -- as Fulford ruled on March 6 -- because individuals' benefits remain untouched.

Adam Putnam Backs John Legg for Florida Senate Seat

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 12, 2012 - 3:10pm

Hours after Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, withdrew his bid for another term, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam threw his support to House Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg, R-New Port Richey, to replace him.

John Leggs true conservative ideals will be key in driving our state forward and growing our economy, said Putnam on Tuesday.He knows how important it is to start with the fundamentals and build upon them to create a more dynamic and highly-educated work force for our forward-thinking state.I support John for Senate District 17 and urge the voters to do the same.

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Jim Norman Ends Bid for Another Term in State Senate

Kevin Derby and Jim Turner

June 11, 2012 - 6:00pm

After qualifying Thursday to make the ballot, Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, has withdrawn from the Florida Senate District 17 race.

GOP Senate Hopeful Connie Mack Unveils Miami-Dade Team

Submitted by Kevin Derby on June 12, 2012 - 1:41pm

Congressman Connie Mack, the front-runner to win the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in November, unveiled his team in Miami-Dade on Tuesday.

This team will produce the largest Republican primary voting bloc in the state, and I am excited and grateful for the energy these community leaders are bringing to our campaign, Mack said. This will have a huge impact on our primary voter turnout effort.

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