15 WEEK ABORTION BAN The Florida Supreme Court has refused to issue a stay, without comment, on the State’s 15 week ban on abortions. The vote was 4-1. The Court will, at a later date, take up the constitutional issues raised by the plaintiffs.
GUN PREEMPTION The Florida Supreme Court has upheld Florida’s law that penalizes local government officials who try to enact gun regulations that are stricter than those of the State, finding that the Legislature was within its constitutional authority to impose the fines.
STATE ATTORNEY’S JOB A Florida judge has ruled that he does not have the power to reinstate the Hillsborough County State Attorney who was removed from his job by Governor DeSantis. The judge ruled that while the Governor has violated both the U.S. and Florida’s Constitutions, he is prevented from further action.
MANATEE KILLS The State has asked a Florida judge to toss out a lawsuit filed by Bear Warriors United. United wants the judge to agree that Florida was violating the Endangered Species Act by allowing septic tanks in areas that caused manatee deaths. The State contends that remediation efforts to reduce septic tanks are continuing and the lawsuit is baseless.
ANDREW GILLUM PROSECUTION A Florida judge refused to let former Tallahassee Mayor and former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum out of a sprawling corruption case accusing him of misusing campaign contributions and lying to the FBI. The judge said the indictment sufficiently alleges he spent the money for personal use, and rejected theories that his prosecution is politically motivated.
FLO RIDA MAKES BANK A Florida state jury found in favor of rapper Flo Rida in a civil trial against Celsius Holdings Inc. The jury determined that the company owes him $83 million for breaking two contracts when it did not provide royalties and company stock in exchange for promoting its products.