Title: Thad Altman, et. al. v. Hon. Rick Scott, Governor

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011
CASE NO.: SC11-396
THAD ALTMAN, ET AL.
vs.
HON. RICK SCOTT, GOVERNOR
___________________________________________________________________
Petitioner(s)
Respondent(s)
         On March 2, 2011, petitioners filed with the Court an "Emergency Verified 
Petition for Writ of Quo Warranto, or in the Alternative, for Writ of Mandamus, or 
other Equitable Relief."  The petition was filed as an original proceeding pursuant 
to article V, section 3(b)(8) of the Florida Constitution.  The emergency nature of 
the petition is based on an alleged March 4, 2011, federal deadline by which to 
"accept" $2.4 billion in federal grant funds for construction of a high speed rail 
project.  The petitioners allege that Governor Scott has exceeded his constitutional 
authority and violated the separation of powers under the Florida Constitution.  
The Court has reviewed the petition, response, and reply, has heard oral argument, 
and has considered the factual allegations and legal arguments.  Based on the 
limited record before the Court and a review of the federal and state law relied on 
by the parties, the Court has determined that the petitioners have not clearly 
demonstrated entitlement to quo warranto, mandamus, or any other relief.  
Accordingly, the emergency petition is hereby denied.  
NO MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL BE PERMITTED.
CANADY, C.J., PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, and 
PERRY, JJ., concur.
Case No. SC11-396
Page 2
A True Copy
Test:
 
 
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Served: 
CLIFTON ADAMSON MCCLELLAND, JR.
J. ANDREW ATKINSON
JESSE MICHAEL PANUCCIO
ERIK MATTHEW FIGLIO
CARLY ANN HERMANSON
CHARLES M. TRIPPE, JR.