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

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2017

A majority of Floridians would like to expand the Affordable Care Act, or keep the law as is. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed in a new statewide poll released Thursday are concerned that people would lose health insurance if the law is repealed, according to the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative. FAU asked […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2017

Since the Congressional Budget Office said the Republican health care plan would raise the ranks of the uninsured by 14 million people next year earlier this week, Gov. Rick Scott has been silent. Florida House Democrats are now calling him out for his sudden reluctance to weigh in on a subject he’s never been shy about talking about […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Sarasota GOP Chair and state Rep. Joe Gruters said he is a “long-shot” to be Gov. Rick Scott‘s choice to succeed Jeff Atwater as Chief Financial Officer once Atwater leaves the office in May. On Wednesday afternoon, Gruters appeared on Tampa Bay area radio station News Talk 820 WWBA with guest host David Jolly, who formerly represented Florida’s 13th Congressional District.Gruters had shown loyalty to Scott […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Tampa Representative Kathy Castor is one of six Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who reached out to the EPA inspector general earlier this week, calling on him to investigate the agency’s conflict of interest policies and procedures in the wake of reports of a close relationship between industry groups and EPA Administrator Scott […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says a bill co-introduced by Tampa state Senator Dana Young would take away local control of public spaces, but Young says that the mayor has it wrong in his concerns about what the bill will actually do. “Telecommunications companies are pushing SB 596 and HB 687, legislation that would allow them to place small refrigerator-sized equipment, and even towering poles, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

Under current Florida law, those who are convicted of any felony lose the right to vote, the right to sit on a jury, the right to hold public office, and the right to possess a firearm, unless they are granted the restoration of their civil rights by the state Office of Executive Clemency. Legislation being […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

A proposal by Port Orange Republican Dorothy Hukill to require high-school students to take a half-credit of instruction in personal financial literacy and money management easily won approval in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education on Wednesday. However, several lawmakers expressed reservations about the fact that unless lawmakers extend the hours of the school day or […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

There are a number of bills floating in the Florida Legislature this year that deal with criminal justice reform, but one that has law enforcement completely flummoxed is a bill that would remove their discretion to charge a minor regarding a variety of first-time offenses. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores‘ bill (SB 196) requires a law enforcement […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2017

Sarasota-area Democrats have waited several weeks to engage GOP Congressman Vern Buchanan; they’ll finally get their chance at a town-hall meeting Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. But will there be a counter presence of Republicans packing the seats? Anticipation around the meeting is so strong that Buchanan’s staff announced last […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2017

A Florida Senate committee unanimously passed a proposal Tuesday giving electric utilities the opportunity to invest in natural-gas reserves and recoup money from customers. The legislation would allow any Florida power company using natural gas for 65 percent or more of its electricity generation to explore out-of-state for natural gas using residential ratepayer’s money. The bill from Fernandina […]

Online poll finds majority of Floridians want ACA expansion, oppose GOP proposal

House Democrats demand Rick Scott speak up on CBO’s scoring of GOP health care plan

Joe Gruters says he’s a long shot for CFO position, but appreciates the mention

Kathy Castor one of six Democrats calling on EPA IG to probe potential conflicts of interest with Scott Pruitt

Dana Young says Bob Buckhorn should support utility legislation

Sean Shaw and Darryl Rouson attempt to deal with Florida’s ban on voting rights for ex-felons on the front end

Senate advances high school financial literacy bill

Law enforcement says Anitere Flores’ civil citations proposal still ‘a non-starter’

Joe Gruters calls Republicans to ‘pack seats’ at Vern Buchanan’s Sarasota town-hall meeting Saturday

Bill permitting Florida PSC to allow natural gas investments passes Senate committee