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

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 15, 2016

A lot goes on at polling places on Election Day. Candidate supporters gather to hand out literature. The candidates themselves bounce around from polling place to polling place hoping to nab some last minute votes and reach people who may have otherwise been missed throughout campaigning. But, outside of polling places, there’s another story to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 12, 2016

Marco Rubio is targeting Donald Trump in a round of media appearances in Florida this weekend. Rubio has closed the gap between himself and Trump some, but still trails the real estate mogul by 7 points in the Sunshine State. Rubio’s target at his first Florida stop Saturday was a raucous protest that led to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 11, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott kicks off his “Million Billion Jobs” victory tour Monday. The self-proclaimed jobs governor is visiting five cities celebrating creating more than 1 million jobs in five years and $1 billion in tax cuts for Florida families over the past two years. “The debate in Florida is now about how we can create […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 11, 2016

As the Florida Legislature wrapped up its 2016 session Friday by passing the 2016-17 budget, some education officials are feeling left out. In an email, Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall lamented that the budget fails to adequately fund education and ignores increasing resistance toward what many see is chronic over-testing in schools. “Legislators may […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 9, 2016

Pinellas County U.S. Rep David Jolly reacted to news Wednesday that for a second day in a row Iran has test-fired ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, its archenemy and the U.S.’s strongest ally in the Middle East. The two missiles fired Wednesday are said to be capable of reaching about 1,250 miles, plenty of distance […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 25, 2016

An amended bill that would reshape the way civil forfeiture works in Florida passed the House Judiciary Committee Thursday. Under current law, law enforcement can seize a person’s property, including cash, if they suspect it is being used to commit a crime or is the proceed from crime. Under that scenario, no charges have to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 25, 2016

The powerful North Pinellas Bilirakis family is tied to a recent lawsuit filed in Pinellas County court. Evelyn Bilirakis, the niece of U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis, allegedly struck an individual at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs while driving a golf cart. In the lawsuit naming the Golf Club, not the Bilirakis family, Jarunee Saengfah […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 23, 2016

The National Republican Congressional Committee is calling on Democratic candidates for Pinellas County’s Congressional District 13 seat to renounce President Barack Obama’s plan to shut down Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. “Do Charlie Crist and Eric Lynn support the President and his dangerous policy,” the NRCC asked in an email on Tuesday. “Or will they finally […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 17, 2016

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday postponed a vote on a measure that would regulate homeowners’ ability to sign over their right to collect insurance benefits to third parties. Logan McFaddin, state government relations manager for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), issued this statement: “Assignment of Benefits (AOB) abuse is a critical […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 15, 2016

Gulfport municipal elections are supposed to be nonpartisan, but party politics have come out in the city’s lone City Council contest. Though voters will never see it on a ballot, incumbent Dan Liedtke is a Republican. His challenger, April Thanos, is a Democrat. In a recent mailer, Thanos called Liedtke out as “a Tea Party […]

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Election Day takeaways in Gulfport

Marco Rubio slams Donald Trump’s “say anything” attitude at campaign stop in Largo

Rick Scott to launch jobs creation and “tax cut victory” tour

Email insights: Florida Education Association calls on Rick Scott to veto budget

David Jolly says Iran’s threat to Israel is threat to U.S.

Lawmakers reach agreement with law enforcement groups over civil forfeiture bill

Gus Bilirakis’ teen niece linked to golf cart crash lawsuit

NRCC calls on Charlie Crist, Eric Lynn to oppose president’s Gitmo closure plan

Assignment of benefits bill postponed; insurers group urges action

Nonpartisan Gulfport City Council race goes partisan