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

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Try as it might to Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet, the controversy over the handling of former FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey isn’t going away. This morning the conservative editorial page of the Tampa Tribune weighed in, writing that, “Gov. Rick Scott is sorely mistaken if he thinks a steady stream of press releases […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Marco Rubio may or may not make a full fledged run at the presidency, but he’s certainly flirting with the possibility, and like some other GOP candidates, has been talking more about economic inequality than ever before as he touts his new book, “American Dream.” But Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant says that while […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Happy Friday to y’all. So much to talk about in the news this morning … The Tampa Bay Times’ flooded the zone in December with a series of disturbing stories about New Beginnings of Tampa, one of the city’s largest homeless charities, which for years has made money off its residents through its controversial “work therapy” program. The […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

This past Friday, St. Petersburg City Council convened for nearly three hours in an attempt to set up regulations to create a legal framework that would require Uber and Lyft to comply with ordinances regarding taxi cabs and limousines. It was the first time that local government had devoted a session to an issue that […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

To its supporters, it was a case of justice delayed but not denied, when on Thursday the Florida Board of Governor in Tallahassee unanimously recommended the state provide $57 million to USF to move its medical center to downtown Tampa. The next step in the process for the $153 million center to house the Morsani […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

At 2:30 p.m. today, the state’s Legislative Budget Committee will consider granting millions of dollars in tax breaks to four entities for sports stadiums: The Daytona International Speedway, the city of Orlando for Orlando City Soccer, the city of Jacksonville for the NFL Jaguars, and South Florida Stadium LLC, the home of the Miami Dolphins. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

In the past year, states such as Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona have passed laws to give critically ill patients the right to try medications that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Jeff Brandes wants Florida to be the next such state to pass what are known as “Right to Try” […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

This month, former Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman blew some minds when he told The Tampa Tribune that he’s probably going to attempt a return to local politics, as he eyes the countywide District 6 commission seat being vacated next year by a term-limited Kevin Beckner. Norman was a county commissioner 18 years, before he […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

Among the many links on this morning’s Drudge Report is a story by the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Marco Rubio essentially saying that Congress should pass a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security without conditions. There are just eight days remaining before funding for DHS will run out, with the House and Senate at […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2015

Last week, at a candidates forum in South Tampa, District 4 challenger Kent King assailed incumbent Harry Cohen’s performance on council over the past four years, saying he hasn’t represented South Tampa well at City Hall. But after King told moderator Christine Burdick at this morning’s Downtown Partnership candidates forum that the City Council is not the “lead […]

Mitch Perry
Image via AP

First Amendment Foundation wants special prosecutor to investigate Rick Scott, Baileygate

FDP Chair criticizes Marco Rubio, but says needs more time to review his current statements

Mitch Perry Report for 2.20.15 — On Rudy, Rick and DWS

Matt Gaetz files legislation addressing Uber, Lyft

State BOG all in for USF med school move to downtown Tampa

AFP warns LBC to skip support of stadium incentive proposal

Jeff Brandes files bill to allow dying patients to try unapproved medications

Brian Willis considering bid for Hillsborough County Commission

Mitch Perry Report for 2.19.15 — Rubio, immigration and the political right

Transit talk dominates discussion at Tampa Downtown Partnership City Council forum

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.