Michael Carroll News
Federal lawsuit challenges legality of Florida program to remove 'unauthorized aliens' from state
The Southern Poverty Law Center and immigration rights groups are suing the DeSantis administration, alleging that its program to transport “unauthorized aliens” out of state amounts to state-sponsored harassment of the undocumented.
Analysis criticizes potential $10 million payout to Ben Sasse to lead University of Florida
Outgoing Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse’s contract to become the University of Florida’s next president for a five-year term could be worth around $10 million, according to an analysis of the contract by professors who called it “the richest we have seen.”
Proposed State Capitol conduct rules seen as threat to free speech
The ACLU of Florida is warning that proposed new free-speech rules in and around the State Capitol buildings pose a threat to constitutional rights and give Capitol Police the power to silence views they disfavor.
Gabby Petito family awarded $3 million in wrongful death suit
The family of a woman who was slain by her fiancée during a cross-country road trip has been awarded $3 million by a Sarasota County judge as part of a wrongful death lawsuit.
'Fix the Cracks' campaign warns Floridians about abusive auto glass lawsuits
Insurance and tort reform groups have launched a campaign to warn consumers about the explosive growth in auto glass litigation in Florida – a phenomenon that some observers say contributes to rising claims costs and insurance policy rates.
Lawsuit advocating for medical marijuana users' ability to purchase firearms appealed to 11th Circuit
Florida’s agriculture commissioner is appealing a recent federal judge’s order dismissing a lawsuit she and other plaintiffs filed challenging a prohibition against medical marijuana patients purchasing firearms.
Half-measures won't be enough to stabilize Florida property insurance market, industry observer says
Florida’s one-way attorney fee system favoring plaintiffs in litigated insurance claims should be abolished, the time to file a litigated claim should be limited to one year and assignments of property insurance benefits ought to be banned entirely, an insurance industry insider says.
Federal court allows lawsuit challenging Florida congressional redistricting map to advance
A lawsuit challenging the Florida congressional redistricting map that helped Republicans gain four additional U.S. House seats in the November election will advance to the discovery phase as a result of a recent federal court decision.
11th Circuit dismisses Zantac class-action lawsuit
Efforts to secure damages awards from the makers of the Zantac heartburn drug over the allegation that it contains carcinogens hit a roadblock earlier this month after a federal appeals court dismissed a proposed class action.
State courts' budget request includes $50 million for new 6th District courthouse
The Florida Supreme Court has approved a 2023-24 judicial branch budget request that includes tens of millions of dollars for salary increases and $50 million to build a courthouse for the newly created Sixth District Court of Appeal.
Ruling bars Orange County from enforcing rent-cap ballot measure
In the wake of a directive from a Florida appeals court, an Orange County circuit judge has barred county elections officials from certifying votes on a controversial rent-control measure and directed county officials not to enforce its provisions.
USF appeals to Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on campus fees charged students during pandemic
The University of South Florida (USF) is calling on the Florida Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court opinion that gave the go-ahead to a class-action lawsuit seeking refunds for campus service fees charged students during the coronavirus pandemic.
Florida voters to decide fate of Constitution Revision Commission on Nov. 8
Florida voters on Nov. 8 will decide whether to abolish the state’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), one of the main avenues to place constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot.
CNN seeks disclosure of who's funding Dershowitz's defamation suit
The issue of third-party litigation funding has taken center stage in the federal defamation case filed against CNN by legal scholar Alan Dershowitz, with CNN’s attorneys arguing that the funders of Dershowitz’s lawsuit are bent on “silencing” the cable news channel.
Chamber of Commerce panel aims to advance civil litigation reforms in Florida
Tort reform supporters seem buoyed by the formation of a new Florida Chamber of Commerce panel called the Council of General Counsels as well as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a second 2022 special legislative session to deal with the property insurance crisis.
Walmart legal settlement will provide opioid-overdose drug to Florida first-responders
Walmart will provide Florida first-responders with hundreds of thousands of medication kits that will counter opioid overdoses as a result of a settlement also providing $215 million for other opioid remediation efforts in the state.
Environmental groups suing to challenge aquaculture project off Sarasota County
Environmental groups have recently filed lawsuits challenging a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency permit allowing the operation of an aquaculture pilot project about 40 miles offshore from Sarasota County.
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.