Janelle Irwin Taylor, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 26, 2018

Kristen Carlson continues to pad her campaign war chest in an unlikely toss-up election in the conservative Congressional District 15. Carlson raised more than $400,000 from Oct. 1-17, bringing her overall fundraising total to $1.2 million. That’s nearly triple what her Republican opponent Ross Spano raised in the same period and only $83,000 less than […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 26, 2018

The conservative, pro-environment group RepublicEN snuck a Halloween theme into its weekly newsletter Friday. The letter cautions readers not to be scared of “climate hoaxers” and offers up a classic Halloween song to get folks in the spooky mood — the “Monster Mash.” RepublicEN supports taking action to combat climate change through free market solutions and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 26, 2018

The back and forth of ethics complaints between Republican state Sen. Dana Young and Democratic challenger Janet Cruz continues unabated. Young has personally filed a complaint against Cruz, alleging she spread false information in a television ad that claims Young was under investigation for supporting legislation that directly benefited her family business. “This statement is blatantly […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 26, 2018

Two proposed charter amendments in St. Petersburg appear poised to pass this election, according to the latest St. Pete Polls survey. More than half of those surveyed said they voted in favor of a lease extension for the entire pier area, for a longer lease for the Harborage Marina in downtown. Both amendments are innocuous. The pier amendment would […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 25, 2018

The anti-tax, anti-rail group No Tax for Tracks showed up late to the game last week, sending voters mailers condemning Hillsborough County’s transportation initiative as a giant waste of money. Now two images are floating around social media making outlandish accusations about the proposed 1 percent sales tax increase that would fund both – yes, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 25, 2018

State Senator Jeff Brandes will revive an amendment he filed during the 2019 Legislative Session that would expand medical marijuana access and allow patients to smoke their medicine, he said during a dispensary opening in St. Petersburg Thursday. Brandes’ 2017 amendment would have shifted Florida’s medical marijuana law from its current “vertical” structure that requires […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 25, 2018

The medical marijuana treatment provider Surterra Wellness opened its 12th Florida location in St. Petersburg Thursday. The Medical Marijuana Treatment Center is located at 2001 Fourth Street on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. State Senator Jeff Brandes called the new dispensary “the Apple Store of cannabis.” Unlike other treatment centers, Surterra designed all of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

The Republican Party of Florida sent out two attack mailers against Jennifer Webb tying her to special interests that support policies conservatives oppose. The mailers landed in House District 69 voters’ mailboxes this week. Webb is running against Republican Ray Blacklidge for the seat currently held by Republican Kathleen Peters. “Big business special interests often use […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

Election Day is two weeks away. That means candidates are entering the home stretch of the midterm elections. Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the “blue wave” while Republicans are trying to keep seats for another term throughout the nation. Locally, candidates are planning to hit the pavement and take to the phones to reach […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 24, 2018

Pinellas County beach businesses reported 50 temporary layoffs and nine permanent layoffs associated with loss of business due to red tide. Forty-nine businesses self-reported losses totaling more than $1.5 million. Businesses reported losses through the Florida Damage Assessment program providing relief to businesses affected. Red tide continues to plague almost all of Pinellas County’s Gulf beaches, […]

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Kristen Carlson collects $400K in final push against Ross Spano

Pro-environment conservatives: Don’t let climate hoaxers spook you

Janet Cruz lying about Dana Young, new complaint alleges

St. Pete charter amendments will pass, poll suggests

No Tax for Tracks spreads Hillsborough transportation initiative falsehoods

Smoke if you got ’em: Jeff Brandes will refile smokable pot bill

New Surterra Wellness in St. Pete is not your daddy’s head shop

Republicans hammer down on Jennifer Webb attack ads

Tampa Bay candidates enter campaign home stretch

Red tide claiming Pinellas County jobs, costing businesses