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

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Good morning. Greetings from Tallahassee. Among the many, many items that the Legislature worked on Wednesday was a resolution in the House condemning President Obama‘s overture to Cuba, including a mandate that the White House not even think about having a Cuban consulate anywhere inside the Sunshine State. That’s certainly not the sentiment among the […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Little debate on the Senate floor Wednesday preceded its unanimous approval of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala‘s bill (SB 186) that would legalize 64-ounce growlers. The issue has become a cause celebre among millenials and other casual observers of the political process in Florida the past few years. Some have been flummoxed as to why the Sunshine […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

The Florida Senate Wednesday passed an adoption bill that would provide financial assistance to public employees to encourage them to adopt foster and special needs children in the Sunshine State who need parents. Sponsored by Niceville Republican Don Gaetz, the bill survived serious opposition led by Lakeland Republican Kelli Stargel, who seized on a bill provision passed in […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Florida-State-Rep.-Jason-Brodeur-638x425-1024x1024.jpg

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced a controversial bill that its sponsor says would protect the religious rights of private adoption agencies. However, Democrats, LGBT activists and others say it would give those agencies carte blanche to discriminate against same-sex couples. Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s bill emerged in the past month, immediately after […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

A bill that would make it much easier for doctors to test patients for the HIV virus made its way through a Florida Senate Committee on Wednesday. The measure (SB 512) is sponsored by Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson. She said it would eliminate paperwork that “burdens doctors” when they test in a health screening, such […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Legislation that would authorize the University of Miami and its affiliates to establish a single sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County as a means to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases passed unanimously in a Senate committee this morning. The bill (SB 1040) is being advanced by Palm Gardens Democrat Oscar Braynon, It’s […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Greetings from the Motel 6 off the Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee, where things are getting increasingly hot in the Capitol. Literally. Wednesday’s temperatures are supposed to hover near 90 degrees, that’s not a record, but temps here — like in the Tampa Bay area —are consistently running about 7 or 8 degrees warmer than usual […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Eric Lynn, a senior Obama administration adviser in the Defense Department, has declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Florida District 13 next year. That’s the seat currently occupied by Republican incumbent David Jolly, who was initially elected last spring in a special election to succeed the late Bill Young. “I’m running […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Will there be a transit tax referendum placed on the 2016 Hillsborough County ballot? That question remains uncertain more than a year and a half out, which is why the ongoing public outreach effort called, “Go Hillsborough,” is so important. The effort has consisted of a series of public forums and some telephone town halls […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Although he didn’t call Patrick Murphy his “soulmate” today, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn otherwise gave as full throated endorsement as any politician can when he announced his full-fledged support for South Florida Representative Patrick Murphy in next year’s race for Senate. “I think he is where I am ideologically – which is in the center […]

Mitch Perry
Three people were killed in an accident on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Aug. 12. Image via Treasure Coast Newspapers.

Mitch Perry Report for 4.9.15 — Obama to delist Cuba from terrorist list?

64-ounce growlers a step closer to fill-ups in Florida

Senate defeats proposal to ban gay adoptions

House moves adoption agency “conscience protection” bill forward

Bill aimed to make HIV testing easier passes Florida Senate committee

Needle exchange program for Miami-Dade advances in Florida Senate

Mitch Perry Report for 4.8.15 — Medicaid expansion. Again

Democrat Eric Lynn is running against David Jolly in 2016

New report on Hillsborough transit users puts “maintenance” as top priority

Bob Buckhorn embraces Patrick Murphy’s ideology as he gives his endorsement in Tampa