Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

e’s lot of stories in the news this week about the Republican Party and social issues. Both Mike Pence in Indiana (considered a 2016 presidential possibility) and Asa Hutchison in Arkansas have asked for tweaks in their Religious Freedom Restoration Act bills, after the firestorm it’s created nationally, particularly amongst business groups. Another issue that […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 1, 2015

On Wednesday afternoon, we saw Senator Bill Nelson come to town on behalf of Mayor Alvin Brown, and this won’t be the last such public endorsement designed to help the Mayor. Just a few hours after that endorsement, the Duval County Republican Party countered with an email (“Top 4 similarities between liberal Democrat Bill Nelson and liberal […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 1, 2015

The federal government has temporarily cut off Low Income Pool negotiations with Florida, making it difficult for the Legislature to complete its budget and bring the regular legislative session to an end on time. Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek sent a statement to the press late Wednesday announcing that the chief negotiator […]

Peter SchorschApril 1, 2015

Who would have guessed on primary night 2014 that the Florida Justice Association would look so formidable at halftime of this year’s Legislative Session? After playing and losing in a handful of Republican primaries that night, the FJA continued to take a political battering last cycle. They doubled down on Charlie Crist‘s close-but-no-cigar challenge to Rick […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

At an elaborate ceremony he acknowledged seemed as much a church revival as a political event, Bob Buckhorn was sworn in to his second term as Tampa’s mayor Wednesday. Buckhorn took office again with most people understanding that if things go his way, he won’t be be mayor four years from now. Instead, he would be […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

The ideological fissure that cleaves the Republican Party nationwide will be on display in Tallahassee as the legislative leadership labors to bring the state budget in for a landing by May 1. The critical issue, which on its face is about as exciting as watching paint dry, is whether to accept federal money to indirectly […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

Florida drew national media attention in 2008 when 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony of Orlando was reported missing. In the months and years that followed, her mother, Casey, was charged and ultimately acquitted of Caylee’s murder. Along the way she became society’s public example of a bad mother. During the months leading up to and after […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

A major debate is taking place in the Florida House and Senate over public policy regarding water and the allocation of Amendment 1 funds. Various special interests are striving to make their voice the most influential regarding these two high profile issues. At stake is finding a balance of effective policies, which will guard our […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

With the million-dollar sugar babies still running the show in the Legislature, it might seem impossible to stop the polluting discharges bombarding the coasts and sucking dry the Everglades. And yet there seems to be a sense of momentum for change in the air. More and more angry citizens are realizing that purchasing 46,000 acres […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 1, 2015

Jacksonville Sheriff’s candidate Ken Jefferson plans a “major announcement” at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Cleveland Arms apartment complex, a news release from his campaign said Wednesday. Expectations are it’s an endorsement of considerable magnitude. Jefferson has already been to Cleveland Arms once this week, in the wake of the police-involved shooting of Devanta Jones on Sunday. […]

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Mitch Perry Report for 4.2.15 — Florida Republicans and immigration

Email Insights: Duval GOP charges Alvin Brown with impersonating a lawyer

Dudek: Feds call temporarily halt to LIP talks with Florida

Takeaway from Tallahassee — Midway through 2015 session, Florida Justice Association emerging as early winner

In inaugural speech, Bob Buckhorn hints at bigger things for Tampa, himself

Jack Stevenson: Health care pits RINOS vs. Tea Partiers in budget fight

Melody Bowdon: Practical ways everyone can advocate for children

Dan Peterson: Buying more land isn't Amendment 1's first priority

Karl Wickstrom: Use Amendment 1 to buy land, take on Big Sugar

Ken Jefferson to make “major announcement” Thursday