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

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

Self-driving cars would be able to legally cruise Sunshine State highways under a bill filed by Jacksonville House Republican Jason Fischer. His legislation (HB 353) would allow for the safe and legal operation of “autonomous vehicles.” The bill also calls for updating sections of Florida’s motor vehicle laws that “require or presume” there’s a human […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2017

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Amid growing concerns over President Donald Trump‘s temperament, David Jolly suggested (on national television, no less) that the country might be “safer” if Democrats took control of the House in 2018. “I will be honest with you, Lawrence; I, personally, as a Republican in the past few weeks, have wondered if the Republic’s safer if Democrats take […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Hours before Hurricane Irma made its trek toward the Tampa Bay area, a territorial dispute erupted between Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill. The debate was over the mayor’s announcement earlier that day to impose an overnight curfew in Tampa. Merrill argued he was the only person in the county to have such jurisdiction, a claim […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities aren’t the only entities who have an issue with Governor Rick Scott’s declaration that they must have generators that can power air-conditioning systems installed by next month. Sally Bishop, director of Pinellas County’s emergency management department, told state legislators Monday that there is an unintended consequence to Scott’s emergency declaration: […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Will 2018 finally be the year that a statewide ban against discrimination against the LGBTQ community in employment, housing and public accommodations becomes the law of the land in Florida? Once again, the Competitive Workforce Act (HB 347) has been filed in the Florida House of Representatives, this time by St. Petersburg Democrat Ben Diamond […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Starting this week, the Department of Homeland Security will collect and store all social-media handles, aliases, associated identifiable information and search results in the permanent files of all immigrants. The new policy will include new immigrants, permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The regulation — or Modified Privacy Act System of Records — also will encompass “publicly available […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Last spring, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced it will target Florida’s 16th Congressional District for recruitment and potential investment. Florida Republicans laughed, mocking the idea that incumbent Vern Buchanan‘s Sarasota-area seat was somehow “unsafe.” They’re probably still laughing, especially after Monday’s release of third-quarter fundraising numbers. Buchanan continues to build up his war chest against any and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Alex Sink formally endorsed Barclay Harless last week in his bid for the St. Petersburg City Council, but she had already indicated her support in late September by way of a $500 check to his campaign. Sink’s contribution was part of the $5,355 that Harless raised from Sept. 16-29, the most recent reporting period for the candidates […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Democrat Charlie Crist raised $353,473 during the third quarter of 2017, giving him more than $1.4 million cash on hand for his re-election campaign. While still impressive, the pace is slowing down for one of Florida’s most prodigious fundraisers. The former governor raised a whopping $720,000 during the first quarter of the year, and followed up […]

Mitch PerryOctober 15, 2017

Pam Keith, the former Navy JAG officer who finished third in 2016 ifor the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, is getting the backing of the National Organization of Women in her bid to defeat Republican Brian Mast in Florida’s 18th Congressional District. “Florida NOW considers Pam Keith a champion for women’s rights. She will […]

Mitch Perry
A bipartisan bill creates a national commission to study the alarming rise in antisemitism. Image via AP.

Jason Fischer, Jeff Brandes introduce self-driving cars bill

David Jolly says nation might be ‘better off’ if Democrats take back Congress in 2018

As for curfews, Bob Gualtieri says he is not a fan

Pinellas emergency manager has issue with Rick Scott’s emergency generator rule

Bipartisan effort again behind LGBTQ discrimination bill

Vern Buchanan pleased Homeland Security starting to track immigrants on social media

Vern Buchanan’s answers ‘unsafe’ seat rumors by banking $2 million for re-election

Alex Sink puts money, support behind Barclay Harless in St. Pete Council race

Charlie Crist adds $353K during Q3 to re-election fund

Pam Keith gets backing from NOW in bid for congressional seat