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

Mitch PerryOctober 2, 2015

A new Economist/YouGov poll finds Donald Trump continuing to lead the GOP presidential race, but the numbers are troubling for his candidacy going forward. The New York City based businessman/celebrity leads with 25 percent support, followed by Marco Rubio at 16%, Ben Carson at 15%, Ted Cruz at 9%, Carly Fiorina at 8%, Jeb Bush at 7% and Rand Paul at 4%. The poll shows that just two weeks ago, nearly […]

Mitch PerryOctober 2, 2015

No doubt some Florida Republicans must have scoffed about how “clueless” Donald Trump was when they heard his remarks regarding the relationship between Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio in New Hampshire on Wednesday night. “They hate so much. They hate more than anybody in this room hates their neighbor,” Trump said, adding “It’s political bulls_”. Now […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

The Republican-led House’s approval of a multibillion-dollar defense policy bill could end up being vetoed by President Obama and ultimately hurting MacDill Air Force Base, contends Tampa Bay area Democrat Kathy Castor. But she’s not blaming the president, but the John Boehner-led House. That’s because the $612 billion bill, which will cover new ships, aircraft and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

In what is being described as a good faith gesture, Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chairman Victor Crist announced on Thursday that the PTC has asked its legal counsel to temporarily postpone all legal actions currently pending against ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft until after the Florida Legislative session concludes early next year. “We want […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

Jeb Bush appeared on the set of MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday, where he questioned Marco Rubio’s leadership skills. “I think I have the leadership skills to fix things, and that’s my strength, that’s what I talk about, ” he told Bloomberg News’ John Heilemann. “Marco was a member of the House of Representatives when […]

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

Since I’ve been following politics, it’s been a common complaint to question why the two major political parties have allowed two relatively homogenous states like Iowa and New Hampshire to have such an outsized influence in choosing our presidential nominees. And over the past three presidential cycles, invariably there’s been “serious” proposals floated to change the cycle, […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

Has the Donald Trump phenomenon peaked? Not exactly, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released on Wednesday, that shows the NYC real estate magnate maintaining a double-digit lead in the GOP presidential sweepstakes. Trump is at 23 percent. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina are tied for second with 13 percent each. Marco Rubio comes […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

Last week, Marco Rubio became the first Republican presidential candidate to release a paid family leave proposal, but the reviews haven’t been very favorable. Unlike the proposals floated by Democratic presidential candidates Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, Rubio’s plan disdains any government mandates, and instead advocates giving tax incentives so businesses will offer it […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

Marco Rubio talks policy and his own personality in a quick Q&A with the Skimm, the daily email newsletter designed for millennial women. The Florida Senator, who has had a topsy-turvy relationship with primary voters in the GOP presidential polls since declaring his candidacy back in April, has now become the favorite of the media […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

Legislative leaders in Tallahassee applauded the news earlier this month that there is likely to be a $635 million budget surplus going into 2016. Senate President Andy Gardiner said the surplus will allow for the Legislature to increase per student funding for schools, as well as provide up a $250 million tax cut. But Florida Tax Watch […]

Mitch Perry

Marco Rubio in second place in Economist/YouGov GOP survey

Mitch Perry Report for 10.2.15 – On Jeb and Marco

Kathy Castor says GOP defense bill that violates the sequester could end up hurting MacDill AFB

Hillsborough PTC to temporarily postpone legal actions against Uber until after legislative session ends next year

On MSNBC, Jeb Bush says Marco Rubio lacks leadership skills

Mitch Perry Report for 10.1.15 – Will Reince Preibus have the guts to change the GOP presidential primary schedule?

Marco Rubio rises to 4th place, Jeb Bush back in 5th in USA Today/Suffolk University poll

Democratic women blast Marco Rubio’s paid family leave program, saying it’s missing the “paid” part

Marco Rubio says he’d order up Tex-Mex in his first meal in the White House

Florida Tax Watch warns lawmakers surplus can turn into a deficit quickly