Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2015

The big news in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning is Mike Salinero‘s exclusive in The Tampa Tribune that Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill is prepared to recommend to county commissioners and Mayor Bob Buckhorn that a half-cent sales transit tax be put on the ballot in 2016, with 60 percent of the revenue going to […]

Associated PressJune 10, 2015

Scott Hogan wanted to know why his batch of potential volunteers was “ready for Hillary.” The campaign staffer didn’t get the answer he wanted, but it was enough to get the conversation started. “To tell you the truth, I like Bernie Sanders for just his honesty, but I don’t think he’s electable,” said Gina Casey, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 10, 2015

Way back in April, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan issued a provocative statement that some might consider an example of foreshadowing. “As someone who is committed to Jacksonville, as a citizen, businessperson and owner of the Jaguars, I am going to be active in the political process here,” Khan said in a statement. That wasn’t all he said, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 10, 2015

The big news that came out of Jacksonville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night is the passage of 2015-304: the Police and Fire Pension Deal, by a 14-4 margin. Those against it (Lori Boyer, John Crescimbeni, Bill Bishop, and Matt Schellenberg) made their arguments. But the fact was that Councilman Bill Gulliford and his impassioned […]

Daniel TilsonJune 9, 2015

Shirley dragged long and hard on her lipstick-stained cigarette. She alternated between shaking and nodding her head while listening to new friend Toni talk trash about politicians. “They did it again, threw us under the bus. They don’t know us, they don’t give a damn about us, we’re just bugs on their windshield, that’s all, […]

Sally SwartzJune 9, 2015

As more human-style health care becomes available for pets, veterinary costs are trending into the week-in-Paris realm. I’ve sympathized with fellow pet-loving friends as they opened checkbooks when their dogs and cats got sick. A few years ago, a friend spent upwards of $3,000 when his young dog contracted a life-threatening auto-immune disorder. Another spent […]

Shannon NickinsonJune 9, 2015

This map could be the key to improving our relationship with water for years to come. If we make it come alive. A chain of parks that runs underneath Interstate 110 and through the Longhollow neighborhood. A “daylighted” version of Washerwoman’s Creek, which used to empty into Pensacola Bay near what is now the Baskerville […]

Guest AuthorJune 9, 2015

Serving as Indian River Country Tax Collector while also owning a small family business, I have a unique perspective on taxes. I collect them and pay them, both as an individual and as a business owner. And I see the direct impact taxes have on businesses and the economy. As both a tax official and […]

Melissa RossJune 9, 2015

An on-air discussion of the McKinney, Texas, viral video making the rounds this week quickly turned into an impassioned debate on criminal justice, with one participant’s calls to confront institutional racism set against another’s plea to evaluate police use-of-force incidents case by case. “We have to look at the institutionalization of racism in America,” activist Wells […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJune 9, 2015

Ed Montanari has officially qualified as a candidate for St. Petersburg City Council. Montanari is running for District 3 to replace outgoing Council member Bill Dudley. “Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we embark on a successful campaign,” Montanari wrote in an email Tuesday afternoon announcing he had filed the paperwork. Tuesday […]

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Mitch Perry Report for 6.10.15 — Game-changing developments?

Hillary Clinton building vast network of campaign staff, volunteers

Shad Khan flexes his muscles

Bill Gulliford wins: Jacksonville passes police and fire pension deal 14-4

Daniel Tilson: Florida's uninsured left standing in the shadow of hopelessness

Sally Swartz: There's no Obamacare for pets, and bills zoom into the thousands of dollars

Shannon Nickinson: Hunting for millions with stormwater 'treasure map'

Carole Jean Jordan: Federal tax reform is key to small business success

The McKinney video: a Rashomon

Ed Montanari officially qualifies for St. Pete City Council race