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

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2017

With less than a month to go for the Florida Legislature Regular Session, several major issues remain unresolved. No issue is more entertaining — on a purely political basis — than the debate among Republicans on the viability of Enterprise Florida. That’s the public-private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders where recent records show has […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2017

Even though the 2018 election cycle has barely begun, there’s no question that Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is quickly learning that his progressive stances are finding enthusiastic responses as he barnstorms the state. “We can win elections in this state again by being Democrats!” Gillum told an enthusiastic group of Florida College Democrats in Tampay, where they were meeting for […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2017

Berny Jacques raised $29,740 in March, the first month of fundraising after launching a 2018 bid for Pinellas County’s House District 66. Contributors to the former Pinellas County Assistant State Attorney’s campaign include former Jeb Bush staffer Slater Bayliss, GOP fundraiser Brent Sembler, local Republican heavyweight Jim Holton, Tampa Chamber of Commerce Chair Mike Griffin […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2017

The two Tampa Bay-area Democratic members of Congress — Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist — say they support President Donald Trump‘s military action in Syria Thursday night. both say that the House of Representatives should immediately reconvene so that members can debate the use of military force there. But both say the House of Representatives should reconvene immediately so members can debate […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2017

When Congressional Republicans last month attempted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, they heard from several GOP governors, who warned them not to go ahead with a plan to cut more than $800 billion from Medicaid, saying it would have a deleterious effect on voters. Now, with new polling indicating that Medicaid has […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2017

The Sunshine State’s air is dirtier than it should be, according to an environment report issued Thursday. The study, called Our Health at Risk, reviewed EPA records of air pollution levels across the country, focusing on smog and soot — dangerous pollutants that come from burning dirty fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Among its key […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2017

A bill that would create a regional transit agency connecting four Tampa Bay-area counties passed in a Florida House Committee Thursday. The legislation, sponsored in the House by Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson (HB 1243) would create a four-county agency consisting of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee Counties, and developed in advance of a much-anticipated […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2017

Legislation that would allow so-called “delivery drones” to operate in Florida passed unanimously in the House Wednesday, 115-0. The proposal, sponsored by Pace Republican Jayer Williamson (HB 601), focuses on ground drones, or “personal delivery devices.” Such a unit is defined as a “motorized device for use primarily on sidewalks and crosswalks at a maximum speed of 10 miles […]

Mitch PerryApril 5, 2017

A bill that would create the first statewide law regulating ride-sharing companies passed unanimously in the Florida House on Wednesday, 115-0. Now it moves to the Senate. It’s the second straight year that such a bill has passed in the Florida House, but the chances of it getting through the Senate are considered much greater than […]

Mitch PerryApril 5, 2017

Trulieve, the first company to dispense medical marijuana in Florida, will open its fourth medical cannabis dispensary in the state Wednesday morning, this time in Pensacola. “We are proud to open our fourth dispensary and our first in the Pensacola area. And this opening is especially exciting because we maintain our headquarters in the panhandle and […]

Mitch Perry

St. Petersburg officials make the case for Enterprise Florida

Andrew Gillum tells college Democrats: ‘We don’t have to run from who we are’

HD 66 hopeful Berny Jacques starts strong, raises nearly $30K in March

Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor want Congress consulted on military force in Syria

Citing rising poll numbers, Florida congressional Dems urge Rick Scott to expand Medicaid

Report: St. Pete, Tampa among 21 Florida cities with unhealthy air pollution in 2015

Proposal to create a Tampa Bay area transit agency passes House committee

Delivery drone bill unanamously passes House

Ride-sharing legislation speeds ahead in Florida House

The Panhandle gets a medical marijuana dispensary as TruLieve opens fourth outpost