GLOCKS VS DOCS LEGAL FEES The 11th U.S. District Court of Appeals ordered mediation regarding the payment of legal fees in the Glocks vs. Docs case after the State of Florida elected to not appeal the Court’s opinion in favor of the doctors. Mediation produced an agreement where the State agreed to pay $1.1 million to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
CORRINE BROWN A U.S. district judge had rejected former Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s request for a new trial. The judge ruled the trial judge had not acted improperly by replacing a juror during the trial. He set sentencing for November 16th.
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS The 1st District Court of Appeal has overturned an administrative law judge’s decision regarding water quality standards approved by the State in July, 2016. The new standards increased the level of concentrations for 43 toxins, many known carcinogens, and created limits on 39 others within Florida’s rivers and streams. Environmentalists cried foul because in some cases the levels are above federally allowed concentrations. While not ruling on the case’s merits, the decision allows a paper and pulp group to challenge the standards through a lawsuit.
STAND YOUR GROUND Two Miami-Dade Circuit Court judges have ruled that the revisions the Legislature placed upon the revised “stand your ground” statute are unconstitutional. The new rule shifted the burden of proof to the prosecutors in such cases. The judges ruled that only the Florida Supreme Court has that power. The State has appealed to an appellate court.
BLACKJACK The State and the Seminole Indian Tribe have settled their differences regarding the exclusivity of blackjack at Tribe casinos. The new deal, which settles the existing lawsuit, extends the period for operating blackjack tables until 2030. The State will receive an immediate payment of $200 million.
CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING An administrative law judge has ruled against charter schools and for the State. The schools had sued over a new rule that charters would be ineligible to receive state construction and facilities money should they receive a D rating or below for two consecutive years.