Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2015

With the general election just five weeks away, Jacksonville residents are starting to get to know the candidates as they prepare to choose their city officials. A lot of races present choices without much real ideological difference. One race where the delineation is stark, though: the At-Large Group 1 City Council race, in which an […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2015

B9-Re5bIgAEu_De.jpg-large-1024x1024.jpeg

Speaking at a chilly Tampa International Airport, Gov. Rick Scott and Tampa Bay tourism officials hailed the record-breaking number of visitors to Florida this past year, but the governor also acknowledged it will take more than just tourism to drive the Florida economy. There were 97 million tourists who visited the Sunshine State in 2014, exceeding […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Whip out the checkbooks, Tallahassee lobbyists and PAC chairs, as a new week begins with a handful of legislators’ re-election fundraisers. State law prohibits legislators from raising money during session, so every week leading up to the 2015 Session will offer a number of fundraising receptions. Many of them are mere steps from the Florida Capitol. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2015

On Valentine’s Day, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor used the occasion to advocate that the best present to give a loved one was to make sure they signed up for the Affordable Care Act, since the the deadline for enrollment expired Sunday night. “If you were to ask me what would be the best […]

Associated PressFebruary 16, 2015

The number of tourists flocking to Florida continues to grow to record numbers. Gov. Rick Scott will announce on Monday that more than 97 million visited the state last year according to estimates prepared by Visit Florida. That’s the fourth year in a row that the state has had a record number of tourists come […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Republican candidates and parties in key primary states are among the first beneficiaries of Jeb Bush’s Right to Rise PAC. The committee launched by the former Florida governor and prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidate announced on Friday it gave nearly $123,000 in contributions. The largest payments were $10,000 each to the Republican Parties of Florida, […]

Kevin MeerschaertFebruary 16, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council is expected to ask voters whether they are willing to pay an additional half-cent sales tax to pay off the city’s pension obligation. Councilman Bill Gulliford introduced a bill that would place the question on the city’s May election ballot. The higher tax rate would last 10 years with the money […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Democrats with an extra twenty bucks (and change) can support Hillary Clinton’s not-yet-announced presidential run in Tampa next week. Ready for Hillary, the Super PAC backing the nascent campaign of the former First Lady and Secretary of State, is holding a “low dollar” reception on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Mise en Place, 442 West Kennedy […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 16, 2015

Democrats with an extra twenty bucks (and change) can support Hillary Clinton’s not-yet-announced presidential run in Tampa next week. Ready for Hillary, the Super PAC backing the nascent campaign of the former First Lady and Secretary of State, is holding a “low dollar” reception on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Mise en Place, 442 West Kennedy […]

Martin DyckmanFebruary 15, 2015

The premise underlying Florida’s death penalty is that it will be carried out fairly. To borrow a phrase, that is a bright and shining lie. As the first to re-enact capital punishment after the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in 1972, Florida’s Legislature provided specific criteria for death sentences and required the state Supreme […]

Uncategorized

Anna Brosche brings fresh face for Jacksonville City Council

In Tampa, Gov. Rick Scott touts new tourism numbers, lobbies for manufacturer tax cut

Get your checkbooks ready this week for several political fundraisers

Mitch Perry Report for 2.16.15 — Deadline for Obamacare sign-up has expired. Or has it?

Record number of 97 million tourists visited Florida

Jeb Bush PAC starts spending, gives $123K to GOP in early primary states

Sales tax bump for pension payoffs introduced for Jax ballot

Ready for Hillary to hold “low dollar” fundraiser in Tampa Feb. 24

Ready for Hillary to hold "low dollar" fundraiser in Tampa Feb. 24

Martin Dyckman: Capital punishment in Florida is death by judicial whim