Michael Carroll News
Jacksonville seeks to stay order to redraw City Council districts by Nov. 8
Citing time constraints for its 2023 municipal elections, Jacksonville is asking a federal court to stay an order that found the city’s new City Council and school board district maps are racially gerrymandered and must be redrawn by Nov. 8.
Parties in Orange County rent-cap dispute file attorney-fee motions
Both sides in a lawsuit challenging the legality of a proposed rent control initiative on Orange County’s Nov. 8 ballot have filed motions for reimbursement of attorney fees with the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Lawsuit challenges redevelopment plans for Miami's historic Coconut Grove Playhouse
Fourteen Miami-Dade County residents are suing the county over its redevelopment plans for the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse, arguing that county officials are attempting to use bond funds in a way that wasn’t authorized by county voters.
Survey of Florida college students, instructors shows tolerance for conservative views
The first round of state-mandated surveys of Florida college faculty and students produced a meager response and indicated students and faculty tend to view their campuses as equally tolerant of both conservative and liberal political viewpoints.
Federal injunction against Florida's 'vaccine passport' law overturned
The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned an injunction won by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. that blocked Florida from enforcing a law barring the cruise line from requiring COVID-19 “vaccine passports.”
Free speech trial looms after U.S. Supreme Court rejects Miami commissioner’s petition
The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down a petition from Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo seeking a review of a federal lawsuit filed by two businessmen who accused him of free speech violations and retaliatory tactics.
Health care groups challenge budget provision allowing civil lawsuits over $15 wage
Three Florida health care groups are suing the state to stop officials from enforcing a provision of the 2022-23 Florida budget that would allow civil lawsuits against Medicaid providers that fail to pay certain workers at least $15 per hour.
Class action argues for equitable funding relief for FAMU, other Black colleges
Six Florida A&M University students have filed a class-action lawsuit against the state seeking to end alleged funding inequalities between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Florida schools, including Florida State University.
Hurricane Ian's destruction adds new challenges for Florida's property insurance market
Florida’s estimated $25 billion to $40 billion in insured losses caused by Hurricane Ian will place more financial pressures on an already stressed property insurance market, those in the industry warn.
Florida state senator's lawsuit challenges state appropriation for transporting migrants
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to charter a flight that transported about 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts was illegal under the Florida Constitution, according to a lawsuit filed by a Democrat Florida state senator.
Florida urges U.S. Supreme Court to resolve debate over state's social media restrictions
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of a 2021 Florida law limiting the ability of social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter to filter user comments.
Judge won't lift suspension of ousted prosecutor, but rejects DeSantis' effort to dismiss free-speech arguments
A federal judge has denied a motion by attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis to dismiss claims by suspended prosecutor Andrew Warren that Warren’s ouster violated his First Amendment rights.
Litigated property insurance claims continue to batter Florida, Citizens reports
Litigated claims remain a potent factor in Florida’s increasingly challenging property insurance market as recent reform measures have yet to yield tangible benefits, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. officials said at a recent board meeting.
Oral arguments completed in federal lawsuit challenging Jacksonville City Council districts
With oral arguments completed, plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate Jacksonville’s City Council districts as discriminatory toward Black voters expect a decision before city elections are held in the spring of next year.
Osceola County commissioner candidate sues to have election invalidated
An Osceola County commissioner candidate who lost an election in August is suing to have the vote declared invalid, arguing that the third-place finisher was a “ghost candidate” who was bribed to siphon off Hispanic votes.
District judge allows Orange County rent-cap measure to go before voters
The Florida Apartment Association is appealing a district court decision allowing a rent-control ordinance to go before Orange County voters in November.
Florida utility regulator defends Duke Energy solar program in court challenge
A Latino civil rights group will continue its state Supreme Court challenge to Duke Energy’s solar-power development program as a corporate “subsidy,” despite regulators’ recent reaffirmation of the solar program as fair to customers.
Fate of Florida property insurance reform measure moves to First District appeals court
Florida contractors who engage in weather-related home repairs have taken steps to appeal a Leon County judge’s ruling that dismissed their challenge to a property insurance reform restricting their ability to recover attorney fees.
Only 37% pass Florida's new civics test for high school students
Only 37% of Florida high school students who took the state’s new civic literacy exam passed during the 2021-2022 school year, but education officials expect civic literacy among students to improve as more school reforms are implemented.
Leon County judge dismisses contractors' challenge to property insurance reform law
A Leon County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by contractors who specialize in water, fire, and mold mitigation that argued a new property insurance reform measure trampled on their rights by restricting their ability to recover attorney fees.