Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 5, 2015

I received a text message Wednesday night saying that the Tampa Bay Sierra Club had embraced Hillsborough County Commission Chairwoman Sandy Murman‘s late-hour plan to fund transportation projects, which sounds like a larger-size version of what the club sought this past summer. You remember, it asked the county to began raising mobility fees and the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 2, 2015

Good Monday morning to you all. I went to the cinema yesterday before settling back and watching the later games on the NFL schedule yesterday, seeing the new Bradley Cooper vehicle, “Burnt.” Have you heard about it? In it, the Oscar-nominated star plays a ‘bad-boy’ chef who reached the highs and delved into the lower […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2015

Coming as absolutely no surprise, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on Friday. “As Mayor of the City of Tampa I am honored to support Hillary. Her proven track-record as Secretary of State, Senator, and First Lady has given her the background she needs to continue fighting for America’s children and families,” […]

Phil AmmannOctober 26, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Murman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce public records requested months ago. However, after a 10 News investigation, WTSP reporter Noah Pransky says one Commissioner is apologizing while the other blames county workers. The situation stems from an inquiry into the murky relationship between […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

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Gov. Rick Scott got a figurative swift kick in the pants Monday when the head of Tampa’s leading business group told him to get a move on in filling a vacancy on the local aviation authority’s board. “Possibly unlike any appointment you will make, this next appointment is both an opportunity and your responsibility to make […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2015

The Hillsborough County Commission on Wednesday became the latest local agency to support the push to have a Cuban consulate in Tampa. “We’ve been told from our sources in Washington D.C. that, if we truly want to be considered for the consulate, we must speak with one voice,” said Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO of […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Last week in Tallahassee, we heard Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli say sort of a remarkable thing. Referring to the conflict between his House of Representatives and the Senate that has dominated Florida politics in 2015, he said it was a “extraordinary” that anything gets passed between the two bodies. The latest fissure between the House and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 19, 2015

Thirty-year-old Pasco County resident Christina Barker has been working as Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s special assistant since December, but her public profile rose this summer, when City Hall staffing changes made her Buckhorn’s interim director of communications. Barker became politically aware after John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid, and was totally inspired by Barack Obama’s run […]

Mitch PerryOctober 13, 2015

So, after the Republicans (led by Donald Trump) have seized the country’s attention with their presidential contest so far in 2015, the five Democrats (sans Joe Biden) running for president get their shot in a two-hour debate from Las Vegas on CNN at 9 p.m. Eastern. There will be some intriguing things to watch for – […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

For several years, it’s been a given that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would try to take his brand of leadership to a new level in 2018 by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Facing just token opposition in his re-election bid, Buckhorn won with nearly 96 percent of the vote in March, setting himself up […]

Tag: Bob Buckhorn

Mitch Perry Report for 11.5.15 – A Hillsborough transportation plan without a sales tax?

Mitch Perry Report for 11.2.15 – Tarentino to apologize as heat builds

Bob Buckhorn, Rick Kriseman endorse Hillary Clinton for president

After several requests, Hillsborough commissioners produce Beth Leytham emails they said didn’t exist

Tampa Chamber CEO to Rick Scott: “You owe us” after Sam Rashid fiasco

Hillsborough County Commissioners approve push to bring Cuban consulate to region

Mitch Perry Report for 10.20.15 -Friction begins immediately between House and Senate in special session

Meet Christina Barker, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

Mitch Perry Report for 10.13.15 – Martin O’Malley’s moment?

Bob Buckhorn still considering 2018 run for governor