State & National News - Rick's Blog

Corcoran endorses Putnam for governor

By Lloyd Dunkelberger THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Wednesday dropped his potential bid for governor and endorsed Agriculture…

Pensacola gang members plead guilty to multi-state drug and money laundering conspiracy

Aaron M. Booker, 26, Joseph F. Booker Jr., 28, and Kaishawndra Lyons, 25, all of Pensacola, and Uy Nguyen, 34, of Vallejo, California, have pled…

Inweekly/Political Matrix poll: Putnam and Gillum lead in tight gubernatorial primary races

According to an Inweekly/Political Matrix poll of 1,015 likely Republican voters across the state, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam holds a six-point edge over U.S….

Gaetz leads GOP field for Congressional seat

According to an Inweekly/Political Matrix poll of 504 likely voters in the 1st Congressional District, Matt Gaetz would receive 54 percent of the vote to…

Scott-Seminole agreement makes special session unnecessary

SCOTT, TRIBE REACH DEAL ON GAMBLING MONEY By Dara Kam, Jim Saunders THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — As legislative leaders hold behind-the-scenes talks…

Voters to weigh 13 ballot proposals in November

By Lloyd Dunkelberger THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — Florida voters will get a chance to decide in November whether 13 is a lucky…

And now this: Hill pledges to repeal gun reform law

Mike Hill, a candidate for Florida House District 1, issued a press release to announce his intention to repeal portions of FL SB 7026 if…

Dr. Z Runs for Congress

Dr. Jennifer Zimmerman, a Santa Rosa County pediatrician, says she will run for Congressman Matt Gaetzâ€™s seat as a Democrat. Born in the Philippines, she…

South Florida cities challenge gun preemption

By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Elected officials from 10 South Florida cities are challenging an NRA-backed state law that imposes…

Panhandle commissioner blames Parkland, Fla. for creating ‘little monsters’

Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill broadened his attacks on the students who participated in the March for Our Lives rallies to include the city of…

Constitution Revision Commission moves forward 25 proposals

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) held a floor session of the full Commission this week from Monday, March 19â€“Wednesday, March 21. Upon adjournment, Commissioners voted…

North Florida favors AR-15 ban more than southern Florida

The Inweekly/Political Matrix poll released yesterdayÂ found that the senate districts in the northern part of the state (1-20) favored banning future sale of AR-15Â …

Poll: Majority of Florida voters want to ban AR-15 sales

According to a recent poll, Florida voters favor banning the future sales of AR-15 rifles, raising the age to purchase all guns to 21, and…

Gov. Scott vetos $64 million, only $2 million locally

Moving quickly, Gov. Rick Scott today signed a nearly $89 billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 and issued $64 million…

Gun control among issues teed up for CRC

By Lloyd Dunkelberger THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — The debate over gun control is ready to move to a new forum, as the…

Session end leaves pile of dead bills

By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Banning â€œsanctuaryâ€ cities, revamping gambling laws, approving new sexual-harassment rules and even creating a license…

Weekly Roundup: Parents plead for action

Recap and analysis of the week in state government By Dara Kam THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — Last week, the students had the…

Lawmakers cut Florida Cultural Grants

The Pensacola Little Theatre has asked its supporters to write state lawmakers to restore the Florida Cultural Grants to the FY 2019 budget: Friends of…