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

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2015

Marc Caputo, arguably the best political reporter in Florida, is leaving the Miami Herald to go work for Politico. That news came this morning via Politico’s Mike Allen in his Playbook column. Quoting from an email from editor Susan Glasser, Caputo will write a daily Florida Playbook, “as well as leveraging his unique knowledge and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2015

It’s been almost impossible to go to any public event in Tampa over the past year when you haven’t heard Bob Buckhorn, Sandy Murman or Tampa/Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. CEO Rick Homans crow about how bad ass Tampa/Hillsborough is doing these days on the economic front. Whether it’s the airport, the port, the EDC, the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

As more calls for an independent investigation regarding the sacking of former FDLE chief Gerald Bailey grow, Rick Scott tried to stay on message today during an appearance in Tampa. After making an announcement regarding new funding for STEM education at Chromalloy, a global technology company located in Tampa’s Sabal Park just east from the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

With revenues finally pouring into state coffers after the lengthy recession and its hangover, Gov. Rick Scott made frequent appearances in the Tampa Bay area in 2014, often promoting tax-cut plans or new government spending on education, transportation or the environment. Critics alleged the largesse was due to his trying to curry favor with the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

I will never, ever underestimate Sally Harris again. Harris is one of the two freshly minted members on the Hillsborough County School Board who was fated with deciding the fate of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia at last night’s board meeting. Last week I predicted that with the collective establishment in Tampa (including the editorial boards of both of the dailies, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

I will never, ever underestimate Sally Harris again. Harris is one of the two freshly minted members on the Hillsborough County School Board who was fated with deciding the fate of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia at last night’s board meeting. Last week I predicted that with the collective establishment in Tampa (including the editorial boards of both of the dailies, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

Last month the Sunshine State’s largest power company, Florida Power & Light, won approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to sign a 50-year contract with Louisiana-based PetroQuest to conduct exploratory drilling -better known as fracking – for natural gas in southeastern Oklahoma, with the $191 million cost spread to customer bills. In March the PSC is […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

Could this be the year that the Florida Legislature finally starts trying to actually encourage solar power production in the Sunshine State? The state’s heretofore desultory commitment to alternative energy sources took another hit last fall, when the Public Service Commission voted to cut the energy efficiency goals of the state’s utility companies by more than 90 percent, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

It wasn’t that long ago — 2010 perhaps? — when I still eagerly anticipated watching the State of the Union address from Washington. But no mas. In January of 2010, my first year writing for Creative Loafing, the editors thought it would be cool for me to “live-blog” the event. And it was sort of […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

Fifty years after the passage of the federal Voting Right Act, speakers at today’s 35th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast in Tampa said it’s time to allow the hundreds of thousands of ex-felons in Florida get their right to vote restored. “This modern-day disenfranchisement and discrimination is our modern-day challenge,” said U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, […]

Mitch Perry
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

The Miami Herald's Marc Caputo moves to Politico

Mitch Perry Report for 1.22.15 – Hillsborough loses some of its swagger

In Tampa, Rick Scott feels the heat as the Gerald Bailey controversy grows

Rick Scott pledges $1 million to STEM teachers for summer intern program

Mitch Perry Report for 1.21.15 — Hillsborough County will survive MaryEllen Elia’s exit

Mitch Perry Report for 1.21.15 — Hillsborough County will survive MaryEllen Elia's exit

Dwight Dudley wants to stop public utilities from charging customers for fracking projects

Jeff Brandes proposes legislation to extend renewable energy tax exemption

Mitch Perry Report for 1.20.15 — And now for the most disappointing night in American politics

Restoring voting rights for ex-felons major theme at Tampa MLK breakfast