In The Media

Archive by tag: PoliticsReturn

Speculation Surrounds Campaign Finance Reform

posted on 5/19/2013 12:25:00 PM

Some Democrats saw campaign finance reform passed by the Legislature this year as helpful in their bid to defeat Gov. Rick Scott but, in fact, it could help Republicans more, campaign finance experts and Florida political figures say. Meanwhile, watchdogs who track money in politics differ sharply over whether the reform bill will do what its proponents claim — lessen the influence of special interest money in politics.

Categories: Politics | Tags: Politics, Legislation, Ethics | View Count: (2567)

Byrd Ready to Make Return to Public Service

posted on 5/6/2012 12:43:00 PM

After eight years out of the public spotlight, former state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City is trying for a comeback in public service, running for a circuit judgeship. Byrd, one of the county's most controversial political figures, is challenging Circuit Judge Mark Wolfe based on criticism of his performance on the bench, which Wolfe and his backers vehemently deny.

Categories: Politics | Tags: Judicial Branch, Politics | View Count: (2529)

Ethics Panel: Norman Likely Violated Law

posted on 2/4/2012 11:57:00 AM

State Sen. Jim Norman had a legal duty to disclose that a $500,000 gift was given to his wife by one of his political supporters but did not do so, a prosecutor told members of the Florida Commission on Ethics on Friday. The ethics commissioners agreed, finding probable cause that Norman broke the law when he did not report the half-a-million dollars given to his wife, Mearline, by conservative activist Ralph Hughes. She used the money to buy and renovate a lakefront house in Arkansas. Norman, a...

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Jim Norman, Politics, Ethics | View Count: (2848)

Ethics Complaint Against Jim Norman Gets Bogged Down

SuperUser Account posted on 6/3/2011 9:01:00 AM

Aired on ABC Action News

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Jim Norman, Politics, Ethics | View Count: (2190)

Citizen Crist

posted on 4/13/2011 12:21:00 AM

In Charlie Crist's world, skies generally are blue and sunny, and not just because he lives by the water in St.Petersburg. Within the past year, Crist has been knocked out of the only occupation he ever seriously pursued-politics-and endured a bitter break with the Republican Party, his longtime political home. But never mind that, said the chronic optimist. Life, he said Tuesday, while appearing at Stetson University College of Law to deliver a lecture, is good. "I'm enjoying the private sec...

Categories: Politics | Tags: Charlie Crist, Politics | View Count: (2604)

Miller Says $10,500 He Paid His Wife Was To Run Campaign

posted on 2/2/2011 11:11:00 PM

A mid-December campaign finance report shows Les Miller paid Gwen Miller $10,489 on Nov. 9 for "services rendered." Les Miller said couldn't afford a high-priced campaign consultant last year when he was running for the Hillsborough County Commission District 3 seat, so he hired his wife as campaign manager. Miller's last campaign finance report, filed in mid-December, shows he paid Gwen Miller $10,489 on Nov. 9 for "services rendered."Miller said his former campaign manager, who handled his...

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Les Miller, Politics, Ethics, Hillsborough County | View Count: (2409)

Suit Aimed at Kicking Norman Off Ballot to Move Forward

posted on 10/5/2010 1:16:00 PM

The latest effort by Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman to derail a lawsuit aimed at disqualifying him from the November ballot has failed and a circuit court judge in Tallahassee has ruled testimony in the case can go forward. The recent admission by lawyers representing Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman that his wife Mearline received a half million dollars from late Tampa businessman Ralph Hughes to buy a lakefront vacation home in Arkansas is raising more questions with To...

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Jim Norman, Politics, Ethics, Hillsborough County | View Count: (2567)

Jim Norman Full Disclosure

SuperUser Account posted on 7/13/2010 8:52:00 AM

Aired on ABC Action News

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Jim Norman, Politics, Ethics, Interview, Hillsborough County | View Count: (2834)

Blind Trusts Boost Public Confidence

posted on 8/3/2009 1:57:00 PM

In 2006, the Florida Commission on Ethics endorsed the principle that blind trusts are an effective means of assuring public officials are making decisions that are in the best interests of the state. As former members of the commission, we continue to strongly support that position.

Categories: Ethics | Tags: Politics, Ethics | View Count: (2110)

Kenneth City Deal May Seat Zemaitis as Mayor

posted on 4/2/2009 2:11:00 PM

Council members agreed to a deal that could result in Mayor-elect Teresa Zemaitis finally assuming the office she won in a landslide election last month. Zemaitis, 40, has been unable to take her seat because an obscure provision in the town charter bans public employees from serving as mayor. Zemaitis, a teacher at Dixie Hollins High School, is considered a public employee. A judge has ruled the clause constitutional, but Zemaitis is appealing.

Categories: Past Law Cases | Tags: Pinellas County, Politics, Teresa Zemaitis | View Count: (3062)