Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 26, 2015

I wrote several stories regarding polls in Florida on Wednesday, and in one of those stories I wrote briefly about Marco Rubio‘s plan to replace Obamacare. As we all know, the GOP has been castigated for being nattering nabobs of negativism (to trot out that golden oldie written by Pat Buchanan and uttered by Spiro […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2015

Ted Cruz is NOT the real hypocrite. While declaring himself a candidate for U.S. president at the self-proclaimed “largest Christian University in the world,” Ted Cruz said he would not just overturn Obamacare, but would repeal “every word” of it. Every. Last. Word. And then a few hours later – seriously, less than a day […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2015

Bills are gaining momentum in both the House and Senate and to rein in a rapidly-growing insurance scam in which sketchy trial lawyers and remediation firms are getting stressed-out homeowners to sign over their policy benefits and rights after a burst water pipe or similar home emergency. Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is a long-used legal […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

Gwen Graham today continued to stake out middle ground in Congress, issuing a statement on her opposition to the 2015 House budget, which passed early Wednesday evening. “We need a budget that reflects America’s values, not partisan principles. We need a budget that strengthens Medicare and Social Security,” Graham said in an announcement released shortly following […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ridesharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

With the compasses of most statehouse watchers fixed north as the 2015 Legislative session takes over Tallahassee, a pair of Democrats set their sites this week on House seats in Broward and Miami-Dade, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Roxanne Valies of Tamarac in heavily-Democratic District 95 has filed to succeed term-limited Rep. Hazelle […]

Phil AmmannMarch 26, 2015

On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 11 appointments to a variety of state regulatory boards, as well as two on state judicial benches. Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Scott began the latest wave by appointing Patricia Strowbridge to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Strowbridge, 54, of Windermere, has been Legal Services Director for A Chosen Child, Inc. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 26, 2015

The Florida Senate has not placed a $1.25 million appropriation for Bus Rapid Transit in St. Pete in its budget. The funding would have paid for a BRT pilot program with express bus service running from downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach along First Avenues North and South. According to Clearwater Senator Jack Latvala […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2015

The tortuous twists and turns of the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund deal continued in Wednesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, as the latest iteration of the Pension Deal (one that was approved, before a series of revisions from the PFPF and Council, by a 16-3 vote in December) failed to pass. Rejected on […]

Staff ReportsMarch 25, 2015

Newly-minted U.S. Senate candidate Patrick Murphy fired a shot across the bow of the House Republican majority Wednesday, when he released a statement excoriating the priorities in the budget passed earlier this evening. “House Republicans have, once again, misplaced their priorities. They’re turning their backs on seniors, working families, and critical infrastructure projects we need throughout […]

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Mitch Perry Report for 3.26.15 — How viable is Rubio’s plan to replace the ACA?

Ted Cruz isn’t the real hypocrite over Obamacare

‘Assignment of benefits’ a bonanza for trial lawyers and vendors, bad for consumers

Gwen Graham calls for more moderate U.S. House budget

Tallahassee City Commission defers action on Uber

Roxanne Valies, Robert Asencio gear up for South Florida House runs in 2016

Gov. Rick Scott names 11 to state boards, two judicial bench appointments

Could Senate budget be a referendum on PSTA CEO Brad Miller?

Bill Bishop, the spiked Jacksonville PFPF deal, and election year politics

Patrick Murphy takes aim at GOP House budget