Mitch Perry, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2016

The Republican Party tapped South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to give the official response to President Obama‘s final (and very boring) State of the Union address Tuesday night, and if anything, it exposed the fissures that are ongoing with the GOP nationally. Although the first few minutes of her speech bashed Obama in ways that […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

Opening the 2016 Legislative Session Tuesday, Speaker Steve Crisafulli listed the priorities that he expects the House to focus on in 2016. That included an endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott‘s goal of cutting taxes by $1 billion, something that Senate members have expressed discomfort with. He also put in a good word for legislation that would regulate ridesharing […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

(UPDATED) The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down Florida’s controversial system that allows judges, and not juries, to decide whether or not convicted criminals deserve the death penalty. The high court ruled 8-1 against the current system, with only Justice Samuel Alito dissenting. The court sided with Timothy Lee Hurst, who was convicted of the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

The positive momentum for Bernie Sanders continued on Tuesday, when it was announced that members of Move.On.org Political Action has voted overwhelmingly to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders gained an overwhelming 78.6 percent of the 340,665 votes cast by MoveOn members. Hillary Clinton came in a distant second with 14.6 percent. Martin O’Malley received […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

OK, let’s not pretend that anyone out there is really all that interested, much less excited, that Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address tonight. I would say that it’s an antiquated relic that the country has transcended, and in fact, last year’s SOTU was the least viewed since 2000. Having […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Fundraising totals for what should be the ultracompetitive House District 63 seat were reported on Monday, and so far GOP incumbent Shawn Harrison is dominating the financial arms race over the two Democrats who have entered the contest. Harrison, obviously primed for a serious challenge come November, has now raised over $100,000, in the race ($100,300 to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Fox News reports that the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of private email as secretary of state has expanded to look at whether the possible “intersection” of Clinton Foundation work and State Department business may have violated public corruption laws. The bureau has been looking into whether classified material was mishandled during Clinton’s tenure at the State […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

For Jeb Bush and supporters, it’s probably wise not to rise or fall on the basis of a single poll. Case in point? New Hampshire. The Bush camp rallied this weekend around a poll that showed him moving up to second place in New Hampshire, getting 11.9 percent support. Flash forward to Monday, where a Monmouth University […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Along with lawmakers, lobbyists and journalists who are back in Tallahassee this week for the beginning of the 2016 Legislative Session will be immigration activists, concerned about a number of bills being proposed this session. Two busloads of activists are scheduled to depart from Tampa and Homestead on Monday, with two more scheduled to depart from Polk County […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Good morning, everyone. What a weekend it’s been. On Saturday, I saw “The Revenant,” the quasi-true story of Mountain Man Hugh Glass, who was part of an expedition attacked by Indians in 1823. He was nearly torn to pieces by a bear near present-day Lemmon, S.D., and left for dead by two companions. Then there […]

Mitch Perry

Mitch Perry Report for 1.13.16 – The right hates Nikki Haley’s response on the SOTU

Steve Crisafulli advocates for ride-sharing legislation in opening-day speech

U.S. Supreme Court rules Florida death penalty system is unconstitutional

Bernie Sanders wins the overwhelming endorsement of MoveOn.org members

Mitch Perry Report for 1.12.16 — SOTU time, baby!

Shawn Harrison killing it in fundraising so far in HD 63 race

RPOF seizes on report that FBI expanding Hillary Clinton email investigation

Jeb Bush is only candidate NH voters view unfavorably, Monmouth U. poll finds

Immigration activists to descend upon Tallahassee this week

Mitch Perry Report for 1.11.16 – R.I.P. , David Bowie