Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayFebruary 26, 2015

Amid the spectacle of 2016 GOP presidential candidates Twitter trolling and stumbling over one another to out-firebrand the field, Florida’s Jeb Bush is attempting to stand out among the crowd by playing the part of the adult in the room. What’s more, according to Joe Klein in Time — it’s working: In a week during which Rudolph Giuliani went crusader-ballistic […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 26, 2015

Message to Mayor Alvin Brown: When dealing with veterans, you always want to be prompt. There was grousing in the crowd of about two dozen veterans who showed up for an endorsement at the Maritime Heritage Center at the Jacksonville Landing when the mayor was a couple of minutes late. “Got to get out of here pretty damn quick,” rasped […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court will hear King v. Burwell, with the fate of millions of Americans’ access to health care through the Affordable Care Act at stake. At issue is whether the law’s language allows the government to help middle-income people buy health insurance everywhere in the country — or only in states that […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

Alan Clendenin, who nearly became chairman of the Florida Democratic Party two years ago, is considering a run for elected office for the first time. The 55-year-old State and Democratic National Committeeman from Tampa says he is considering a run for the open Hillsborough County Commission District 6 race, but says it could be another office. […]

Gary FineoutFebruary 26, 2015

For nearly 2 million Florida public school students, the next few weeks could be a crucial moment in their education. The state is undertaking one of the biggest changes in its classrooms since former Gov. Jeb Bush pushed through his signature A+ school grading system nearly 16 years ago. Students will switch this spring to […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 26, 2015

In anticipation of the 2015 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com is asking state lawmakers about their goals and priorities — and whether they support controversial issues in the state. Here are the responses from Rep. Janet Cruz of Tampa. In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session, i.e. “Excited?” “Expansion.” What’s a local issue you are […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 26, 2015

Florida Department of Transportation officials will be on hand 5 to 7 Thursday evening to answer questions and present the Gateway Expressway project to residents. The meeting will be at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s administration building located at 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg. The location is appropriate considering it’s just about ground zero for […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation that would allow share-riding companies Uber and Lyft to operate legally in Florida, and would also change the current composition of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — an agency that Brandes tried to kill in proposed legislation a year ago. The Brandes bill on the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

As anyone paying attention to the rhetoric of some of the leading GOP presidential candidates this year, the term “income inequality” is no longer strictly the province of the Occupy Wall Street crowd. “The opportunity gap is the defining issue of our time,” Jeb Bush said in his first major speech of the year in Detroit […]

Ryan RayFebruary 26, 2015

Editor’s Note: As the 2015 Legislative Session approaches, FloridaPolitics.com is reporting on several “legislative food fights” likely to break out during the annual lawmaking period. These food fights don’t always make the front page of the Tampa Bay Times, but they are the kind of industry vs. industry or intra-industry turfbattles that drive Tallahassee — and expand the economics […]

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Catcher in the Right: Jeb Bush's grown-up campaign

Alvin Brown gets endorsements from local veterans, touts first-term initiatives

Florida advocates warn of dire consequences if Supreme Court rules against ACA

Tampa DNC Committeeman Alan Clendenin contemplating a run for office

Florida legislators under pressure to alter school testing

Previewing the 2015 Legislative Session with Rep. Janet Cruz

FDOT officials bring expressway plans to Pinellas

Jeff Brandes bill would reduce local choice of representation on Hillsborough County PTC

Mitch Perry Report for 2.26.15 — Is GOP divided on whether income inequality is a partisan issue?

Optometrists, contact lens retailers fight battle along blurred lines