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Parent Trigger Bill Goes Down in Senate Tie Vote

March 8, 2012 - 6:00pm

On the last day of the 2012 session, the Florida Senate rejected the Parent Empowerment Act, better known as the Parent Trigger Act.

The measure, SB 1718, which was introduced by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, failed on a 20-20 vote on Friday as eight senators -- Charlie Dean, Nancy Detert, Paula Dockery, Mike Fasano, Alan Hays (who was one of the original supporters of the bill), Dennis Jones, Evelyn Lynn and Steve Oelrich -- joined a united Democratic caucus in opposition to the bill.

Look for Parent Trigger Bill to Return in 2013

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 9, 2012 - 3:22pm

On the last day of the 2012 session, the Florida Senate rejected the Parent Empowerment Act, more popularly known asthe Parent Trigger Act.

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Senate Fails to Hit the Mark on Parent Trigger Bill

Submitted by Anonymous on March 9, 2012 - 2:22pm

The Parent Empowerment Act, better known as the Parent Trigger Act, SB 1718, failed in a 20-20 vote as eight Republicans -- Charlie Dean, Nancy Detert, Paula Dockery, Mike Fasano, Alan Hays, Dennis Jones, Evelyn Lynn and Steve Oelrich -- joined Democrats in opposition to the bill Friday.

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'Santorum Girls' Sing Their Candidate's Praises -- Literally

Submitted by Anonymous on March 9, 2012 - 2:10pm

The Obama Girl was sexy.

These girls are cute.

The Obama Girls song grooved so much it could have been written by B.B. King or Bobby Blue Bland.

These girls sing like the raciest tune theyll ever try has the word Camptown in it.

Welcome to campaign music video, Santorum-style. Its already pretty crowded.

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With Solid GOP States Coming Up, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich Fight on the Right

Kevin Derby

March 8, 2012 - 6:00pm

With the race for the Republican presidential nomination turning to Kansas, which holds its caucus on Saturday, and Alabama and Mississippi, both with primaries on Tuesday, the two leading social conservatives left in the race -- Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum -- are starting to bash each other as they both hope to emerge as the main alternative to Mitt Romney.

While Romney won six of the 10 states up for grabs this week on Super Tuesday, Santorum won in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Tennessee and Gingrich triumphed in Georgia, a state he represented for two decades in Congress.

Newt Gingrich Edges Mitt Romney in Mississippi Poll

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 9, 2012 - 12:09pm

A poll from American Research Group released on Friday finds Newt Gingrich leading the pack of Republican presidential candidates in Mississippi, which holds a primary Tuesday with 40 delegates on the line.

Gingrich takes 35 percent in the poll of likely primary voters, followed by Mitt Romney with 31 percent and Rick Santorum in third with 20 percent. Ron Paul places fourth with 7 percent and 7 percent remain undecided.

The poll of 600 likely Mississippi Republican primary voters was taken March 7-8 and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

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Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney Close in Alabama Poll

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 9, 2012 - 11:44am

Alabama holds its Republican presidential primary on Tuesday with 50 delegates on the line and a Rasmussen Reports poll unveiled on Friday shows it will be a tight battle.

The poll of likely primary voters finds Newt Gingrich leading with 30 percent followed by Rick Santorum with 29 percent and Mitt Romney with 28 percent. Ron Paul lags far behind with 7 percent while 1 percent back other candidates and 6 percent are undecided.

The poll of 750 likely Alabama Republican primary voters was taken on March 8 and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

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House Sends Putnam's Energy Bill to Scott on 116-2 Vote

Submitted by Kevin Derby on March 9, 2012 - 11:33am

On Friday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam cheered the House's passage of the energy bill he has been pushing in the 2012 session. With the House passing the measure 116-2, it is now on its way to Gov. Rick Scott. Two Republicans voted against the measure, Eric Eisnaugle of Orlando and Marlene O'Toole of The Villages.

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Rick Scott Names Peter Antonacci as State Attorney in Palm Beach

Submitted by Anonymous on March 9, 2012 - 11:22am

Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Peter Antonacci as state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit for Palm Beach County.

Petes distinguished legal career and experience as a prosecutor in complex cases has earned him a well-deserved reputation throughout the state, Scott stated in a release. I am confident he is well-qualified to serve as state attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit.

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Florida Supreme Court Shoots Down Senate Redistricting Plan, Setting Up Special Session

Kevin Derby and Jim Turner

March 8, 2012 - 6:00pm

On Friday, last day of the legislative session, the Florida Supreme Court offered a split decision to the state Legislatures redistricting plan, ruling unanimously that the plan for the House seats passed constitutional muster but the plan for the Senate lines failed to do so.

While the court ruled 7-0 that the House districts were constitutional, five of the justices ruled against the proposed Senate map, while two -- Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston -- supported the lines the Legislature passed.

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