Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 30, 2015

Extensive Enterprises Media is proud to announce that award-winning sports columnist Gary Shelton has joined the new media group to provide his unique insight into the intersection of sports and politics. The Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium saga; the Legislature’s debate over subsidizing sports stadiums; progress on new soccer teams in the state; referendums to attract […]

Brendan FarringtonMarch 30, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham hadn’t even been sworn in yet when Democratic Party leaders began talking about her potentially running for governor in 2018. That’s not a good sign for Democrats as they seek to capture a Senate seat in 2016 and find candidates to run for the open governor’s and Cabinet seats in 2018. […]

Phil AmmannMarch 29, 2015

As Bill Day sees it, you know it’s springtime in Tallahassee when gun bills begin floating around the Florida Legislature. It’s the Gunshine State, after all. Last week, a bill advanced allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons during emergencies such as hurricanes. Backed by the National Rifle Association, the measure gives gun owners a […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 29, 2015

Words matter, or they should – at least for journalists. Not necessarily for politicians. Case in point: the Florida House leadership saying that it has $205 million in the proposed 2015-16 state budget for Florida Forever, the state’s land-buying program. Nope, not true. In fact, the House budget proposal doesn’t include a single dollar for […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 29, 2015

The first Florida presidential primary that ever mattered was intended to enhance Sen. Edmund Muskie’s campaign for the Democratic nomination. It dealt him a staggering defeat instead. Florida Republican leaders might want to consider that example before structuring next year’s primary as a winner-take-all clincher for former Gov. Jeb Bush or Sen. Marco Rubio. For […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 29, 2015

Words matter, or they should – at least for journalists. Not necessarily for politicians. Case in point: the Florida House leadership saying that it has $205 million in the proposed 2015-16 state budget for Florida Forever, the state’s land-buying program. Nope, not true. In fact, the House budget proposal doesn’t include a single dollar for […]

Daniel TilsonMarch 29, 2015

Editor’s note: The following is a first-person account from Context Florida columnist Daniel Tilson. After getting home from shooting video for a client today, I found a business card shoved in my front door. Much to my surprise, it had the name and contact info of an FDLE inspector on it. Remember FDLE, the Florida […]

William MarchMarch 29, 2015

In a state Legislative Gession preoccupied with gambling, guns, booze and tax cuts, the Children’s Movement of Florida is pushing a cause that gets little attention: health care and early education for children from poor families. It may not draw high-powered lobbyists to the Capitol rotunda, but Vance Aloupis, director of the group, said it’s […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2015

As one of the major counties along the I-4 corridor, Pinellas County will be a contested piece of real estate in choosing the next U.S. president. Ensuring it goes for the GOP nominee is in 2016 is the No. 1 goal for Pinellas Republicans for the next 18 months, recently elected party Chairman Nick DiCeglie said […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2015

Members of the GLBT community and their allies flocked to Ybor City under idyllic conditions on Saturday, as Tampa held its first gay pride event in more than a decade. In his public remarks, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner referred to what he called one of the “darkest moments in this country’s history” — the June 15, […]

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Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater. Image via AP.

Award-winning sportswriter Gary Shelton joins Extensive Enterprises Media

Florida Democrats look for way to end election woes

Bill Day’s latest: Welcome to the Gunshine State

Bruce Ritchie: Is House giving Florida Forever $205 million? Nope

Martin Dyckman: Winner-take-all primary could backfire on Florida GOP

Bruce Ritchie: Is House giving Florida Forever $205 million? Nope

Daniel Tilson: My surprise visit from FDLE

In Tallahassee, there’s a low-profile push for child welfare

Jeff Atwater, David Jolly star at Pinellas GOP Lincoln Day Dinner

Activists at Tampa Pride urge celebrants to fight adoption bill