Tampa Bay

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

Former Florida Democratic Party president Sally Boynton Brown is in Tampa Thursday night to lead a “progressive message trailing” session. Some Hillsborough Democrats aren’t happy about Brown coming to town. The former executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party was hired in April 2017 by then-FDP chair Stephen Bittel to replace longtime President Scott Arceneaux. But Boynton Brown’s tenure […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

With the horrific Broward County school shooting fresh on their minds, hundreds of King High School students in Tampa registered (or pre-registered) to vote Wednesday for the upcoming midterm elections. Twice a year, Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Craig Latimer takes staff members to every high school in the county to register students 18 years old or older, as […]

Mitch PerryMarch 1, 2018

Tarpon Springs Republican Gus Bilirakis is facing heat over a five-year-old vote against the Violence Against Women’s Act. Since 1994, Congress has taken every opportunity to reauthorize the Act, which provides protections for victims of domestic violence. However, in 2013, several congressional Republicans pushed back hard against reauthorization — a group that included Bilirakis. The legislation funds rape […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

Ever since legislation calling for consolidating the University of South Florida System was unveiled in mid-January, officials from the St. Petersburg community have raised serious objections. The bill, sponsored by Estero Republican Ray Rodrigues (HB 423), would make USF St. Petersburg and USF Sarasota-Manatee operate separately from the main campus in Tampa under its own accreditation. […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 27, 2018

Former Rep. Ray Pilon is planning a return to the Legislature, but it isn’t due to the seismic shakeup caused by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney’s announcement that he won’t run for re-election. The Sarasota Republican said in an email to Florida Politics that he plans to file for House District 72, the seat he held […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2018

With Thonotosassa Republican state Sen. Tom Lee widely expected to leave his Senate District 20 seat in Hillsborough County sometime after the Legislative Session ends to run for Chief Financial Officer, who will take his place? Tampa’s Shawn Harrison and Zephryhills’ Danny Burgess are two names that have been floated. But there’s already a Republican in the race: John […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Republican Nick DiCeglie announced Monday that Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Ken Burke has endorsed his campaign for House District 66. “Nick has all the qualities to make for an outstanding legislator,” Burke said. “He is a leader in his community and church. He is a good father and husband. He […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

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On Monday, a House committee advanced Hillsborough County’s proposal to create a special district for funding some features of the $3 billion Water Street Tampa development in the city’s Channelside neighborhood. The House Government Accountability Committee unanimously approved HB 1393 that creates the Water Street Tampa Improvement District. Advancing the proposal are Strategic Property Partners and […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 26, 2018

Louis Betz and Travis Mitchell received $130,000 in lobbying compensation between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 to finish out the year with an estimated $520,000 in earnings. Louis Betz & Associates had 25 legislative branch clients and 11 executive branch clients last quarter. Top principals included Waste Management Inc of Florida, which paid $30,000 for […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

While Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls is expected to glide to another two-year term in the Florida House this November, at least the Democratic Party has now put up a candidate to run against him. On Friday, Alex Stephen Toth, also of Palm Harbor, filed to run for the House District 65 seat. Sprowls, 34, […]

Tampa Bay

Sally Boynton Brown visits Tampa, miffing some Democrats

Guns on the minds of Tampa high schoolers registering to vote

Gus Bilirakis defends 2013 opposition to Violence Against Women’s Act

Last-hour effort to delay USF System consolidation fails

Ray Pilon planning return to House District 72

‘Manners’ time: Republican John Houman still running for SD 20

Pinellas County clerk endorses Nick DiCeglie for HD 66

House advances proposed Water Street Tampa special district

Louis Betz & Associates earns $520K in 2017

Chris Sprowls gets Democratic opponent in HD 65 race