By KURT HYDE -- True the Vote announced the filing of a lawsuit for public access to election records in Florida’s 18th Congressional District. In a prepared statement available on the organization’s website, True the Vote President Catherine Engelbrecht explained steps that have been taken by True the Vote volunteers to audit the results of the controversial contest between then-incumbent Congressman Allen West and challenger Patrick Murphy. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce, Florida, is based in part on Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, commonly known as the Motor Voter Act. The complaint filed with the court says: Under Section 8 of the NVRA, election officials “shall maintain for at least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost, all records concerning the … [Read more...]
Florida receives Medicaid waiver
By JAMES CALL -- The federal government has approved a long-term care waiver for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program. Patients, mainly nursing home residents but some who still live in their homes, will be enrolled in private health-maintenance organizations or other types of managed-care programs. Gov. Rick Scott lobbied U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for the waiver last month on a trip to Washington. Scott says Florida's plan to overhaul how Medicaid services are delivered will lower costs. “The additional flexibility provided through this waiver helps improve our system,” said Scott in a news release Monday. “And HHS approval allows us to begin implementing changes to our current Medicaid program.” Read more: http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=31403297 … [Read more...]
Following newspaper investigation, officials want new law regarding Florida death sentence appeals
By Reporters Melissa E. Holsman and Zaimarie De Guzman Amid sharp criticism of a state agency tasked with representing condemned prisoners appealing a death sentence, local prosecutors and two legislators want a new law that authorizes judges to decide how much is spent investigating an inmate's legal challenge. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/oct/08/following-newspaper-investigation-officials-want/ … [Read more...]
Complaining tenant gets jail for blowing a raspberry
By Hannah Winston, Gainesville Sun Correspondent -- Dominick L. Verducci, 69, had a beef with his apartment complex and told the manager that if he were a few years younger, he would “knock the nose” off his face. He then stuck his tongue out and blew the man a raspberry. For that action of protest, Verducci, of 3010 SW 23rd Terrace, was taken to jail by the Gainesville Police Department and charged Wednesday morning with simple battery. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120719/ARTICLES/120719514/1182?Title=Complaining-tenant-gets-jail-for-blowing-a-raspberry … [Read more...]
U.S. judge blocks key parts of Fla. law regulating voter registration
A federal judge on Thursday blocked key provisions of a Florida law regulating groups that organize voter-registration drives, escalating a debate over newly restrictive voter-access laws that have become a major issue in the presidential campaign. The decision by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle marked the first time a federal jurist has struck down provisions in one of the voting laws passed by nearly 20 states since last year. The laws are a flashpoint in President Obama’s battle for reelection, with hissupporters saying they target minorities and other pro-Obama groups. Republicans say the measures are needed to combat voter fraud. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-judge-blocks-key-parts-of-fla-law-regulating-voter-registration/2012/05/31/gJQABAug5U_story.html … [Read more...]
