Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 13, 2015

Welcome to the hottest Friday the 13th in March in Tampa Bay history. If it’s Friday in Tallahassee, it’s vacation day. Although the regular session began just 10 days ago, lawmakers are apparently burned out, and require a three-day weekend. No hearings are scheduled today in the Capitol. Then again, the U.S. House of Representatives […]

Kevin MeerschaertMarch 13, 2015

The Jax Young Voters Coalition wants to make sure voters remember to flip over their ballots and vote on the two issues to be decided in the March city election. The first is a referendum that would give the inspector general’s office the authority to investigate complaints and provide oversight regarding the city’s constitutional officers […]

Ryan RayMarch 13, 2015

First there were bath salts, then K2 and now… there’s kratom. Some Thai officials swear by it, the Drug Enforcement agency lists it as a “drug of concern” and the bipartisan duo of Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers and Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs of Coconut Creek are trying to outright ban it in Florida. With the first […]

Ryan RayMarch 13, 2015

First there were bath salts, then K2 and now… there’s kratom. Some Thai officials swear by it, the Drug Enforcement agency lists it as a “drug of concern” and the bipartisan duo of Crestview Republican Sen. Greg Evers and Democratic Rep. Kristin Jacobs of Coconut Creek are trying to outright ban it in Florida. With the first […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 12, 2015

The first Jacksonville mayoral debate of the front runners held Thursday night confirmed some expectations and transcended others. One expectation that was confirmed was that Mayor Alvin Brown would cling closely to his messaging. His campaign has put forth a series of talking points and at every opportunity, the mayor has reiterated them. From the contention that […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 12, 2015

For 13 years, Florida’s death penalty process has been on thin ice at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Legislature has pretended not to notice even though the state Supreme Court sent an early warning. Now, the ice is cracking. On Monday, the high court agreed to consider whether Florida’s law conflicts with its 2002 opinion […]

Phil AmmannMarch 12, 2015

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced 15 appointments — including five judicial court appointments — to a variety of state regulatory boards. Leon County Court Scott announced the appointment of J. Layne Smith, general counsel for the Florida Department of Lottery, to the Leon County Court. Smith, 53, of Tallahassee, was general counsel for the […]

Martin DyckmanMarch 12, 2015

For 13 years, Florida’s death penalty process has been on thin ice at the U.S. Supreme Court. The Legislature has pretended not to notice even though the state Supreme Court sent an early warning. Now, the ice is cracking. On Monday, the high court agreed to consider whether Florida’s law conflicts with its 2002 opinion […]

Shannon NickinsonMarch 12, 2015

Maybe this is how we do it. Most folks prefer their jobs announcements on the splashy side: Golden shovels, red ribbons, oversized scissors, the whole shebang. And there is something to be said for that. Lots of economic development professionals make their performance bonuses on the backs of those big scissors. But some of Pensacola’s […]

James CallMarch 12, 2015

House Democrats say the push to change the pension system for government workers is based on flawed and unlikely assumptions. Speaker Steve Crisafulli wants to overhaul the Florida Retirement System. The goal is to move new workers out of the traditional defined-benefits plan to a 401(K) type defined-contribution plan that would be more portable for when workers […]

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Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 3.13.15 — Random thoughts

Jax Young Voters Coalition to make sure voters cast entire ballot

Kristin Jacobs undeterred in effort to regulate "scourge" of kratom

Kristin Jacobs undeterred in effort to regulate “scourge” of kratom

First Jacksonville mayoral debate sees sparring, no knockouts

Martin Dyckman: Will U.S. Supreme Court rule Florida’s death penalty unconstitutional?

Governor announces 15 appointments, including 5 to judicial courts

Martin Dyckman: Will U.S. Supreme Court rule Florida's death penalty unconstitutional?

Shannon Nickinson: Small companies also crucial to economic development

House Democrats equate FRS to "apple pie" worth defending