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

Mitch PerryMay 22, 2017

In recent years, criminal justice reform, especially in drug sentencing, has taken on more momentum, with governors in some of most conservative parts of the country embracing such efforts. In Florida, progressive State Attorney candidates like Andrew Warren in Tampa and Aramis Ayala in Orlando won their respective races last year by running on a similar […]

Mitch PerryMay 20, 2017

For anyone following national politics, it’s been a dizzying week. Marco Rubio isn’t sure what to make of it all. The Florida Senator, who turns 46 next weekend, was considered a possible nominee for President of the United States less than 15 months ago, but he’s now just a sideshow in the circus that is the […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2017

As House Minority Leader Janet Cruz notes, the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation works “as a united front” when representing their community in Tallahassee. That’s true on issues like the eleventh-hour move by the Florida Senate to push the University of South Florida out of pre-eminent status under a conformity education budget bill that passed in the […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2017

Sarasota Republican Vern Buchanan‘s legislation to toughen penalties against cop killers has passed the House. The “Thin Blue Line Act” would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer, firefighter or other first responders an “aggravating” factor in death penalty determinations. The bill, approved by the House in a 271-143 vote, now goes […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2017

Congressman Ted Deutch is sponsoring legislation to close an ethics loophole in the appointment process for high-ranking government officials. The Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act would require nominees to disclose whether they have solicited or contributed funds for political purposes to 527 political action committees, or tax-exempt groups formed under sections 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) of the tax […]

Mitch PerryMay 18, 2017

For the tenth year in a row, Florida lawmakers raided the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund to balance the budget that currently sits on Governor Rick Scott‘s desk. One state Representative says that needs to stop. Democrat Sean Shaw says he will file legislation for the 2018 Legislative Session to block what has become an annual ritual of the […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

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Florida’s vicennial Constitution Revision Commission made its first stop in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday. Members of the public came before the 37-member council — organized to get together every 20 years — and were allowed only two minutes to discuss what amendments should, or should not, be placed on the 2018 ballot. The first […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

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The Constitution Revision Commission met on Wednesday for the first time to go over their controversial rules while meeting in Tampa. A rules committee first met before a public hearing, scheduled for tonight, starting with a lengthy discussion kicked off by GOP former state Sen. Don Gaetz. The 37-member board should abide by budget language pending before Gov. Rick […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

Jay Fant was back in Tampa Tuesday night, where he once again registered his disagreement with House Speaker Richard Corcoran over the House vote to zero out funding for Enterprise Florida. The Jacksonville Republican state representative, speaking to the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee as he starts his campaign for attorney general, said he gets along very well […]

Mitch PerryMay 17, 2017

Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Denise Grimsley made the first of what should be many visits to Tampa during the next year-and-a-half, introducing herself to local Republicans and speaking about her credentials as to why she’s the best candidate to succeed Adam Putnam. Like Putnam, she’s a fifth-generation Floridian, but unlike him, she had an entire career outside […]

Mitch Perry

Andrew Warren and Aramis Ayala blast Jeff Sessions plan for stricter sentencing in criminal cases

Marco Rubio has little to say about Donald Trump, but a lot about the media

Hillsborough state legislators clash in Tampa Chamber Session review

Vern Buchanan’s ‘Thin Blue Line’ Act passes House, toughens penalty on cop killers

Ted Deutch co-sponsors conflicts of interest bill, adresses Trump administration appointees

Sean Shaw bill for 2018 would stop raiding of Sadowski Housing Trust Fund

Citizens address gamut of issues at Tampa’s meeting of Constitutional Revision Commission

Constitutional panel agrees to follow state budget language

In Tampa, Jay Fant says House ‘out of whack’ for zeroing out funding for Enterprise Florida

Ag. Commish candidate Denise Grimsley introduces herself to Tampa Republicans