Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2015

After years of failure, the Florida Legislature in 2013 finally passed a ban on texting while driving, joining the majority of states who already had passed such legislation addressing the issue of Americans obsession with their smartphones. But even its biggest supporters admitted that bill was modest at best. If fact, the current law is so […]

Gary FineoutJanuary 13, 2015

Florida’s two main political parties are getting a lot less money now that the election season is finally over. The Republican Party of Florida and Florida Democratic Party on Monday turned in their fundraising reports for the final two months of 2014. Republicans reported raising more than $1.96 million during that time period, but a […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2015

Every year, federal and state law enforcement agents seize millions of dollars from civilians during traffic stops, simply by asserting that they believe the money is connected to some illegal activity and without ever pursuing criminal charges. Under federal law and the laws of most states, they are entitled to keep most (and sometimes all) […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 12, 2015

State Rep. Travis Hutson took in another $80,625 in campaign cash from December 1-31 as the Elkton Republican campaigns in the special election for Senate District 6. The special election is to replace former Sen. John Thrasher, the St. Augustine Republican who resigned the Legislature in November to become Florida State University president. Of the […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 12, 2015

House District 24 hopeful Paul Renner continued collecting piles of campaign cash, adding $61,875 during December, according to reports filed Monday with the state Division of Elections. Renner, a Palm Coast Republican, is running for the Jan. 27 GOP primary, with an overall fundraising total as of Dec. 31 of $138,375. He has spent $111,026 […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 12, 2015

The first full week of January brought lawmakers and politicos to Tallahassee for a round of legislative committee meetings and the inauguration of Gov. Rick Scott. This provided quite a clash of cultures at local institutions where the natives mix with the out-of-towners. On one side were the legislators, lobbyists and staffers still hung over […]

Julie DelegalJanuary 12, 2015

“Can’t we all just get along?” The immortal words of police brutality survivor Rodney King might make for great TV, but they’re a lousy statement on education policy. And yet, those words nearly jumped off the page as I read Trey Csar’s recent apologia for public school privatization. Csar is president of the Jacksonville Public […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 12, 2015

More than 13 million people were the victims of identity theft in 2013 according to Javelin Strategy and Research. And that number is on the rise. In 2012 it was 12.6 million, up one million people from 2011 and more than two million from 2010. That means an American becomes the victim of identity theft […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 12, 2015

Florida needs to have a bigger role in picking the next president. Florida is the third-largest state and the state that most reflects the rest of the states demographically. Because of the way it is designed, the current national primary nomination system produces candidates elected by voters who do not reflect the majority of the party […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 12, 2015

A Southern Super Tuesday could emerge as seven states are considering aligning voting dates in the 2016 presidential primary calendar. If that happens, Beth Reinhard of the Wall Street Journal believes what follows could become a focal point the battle for the Republican nomination. A Southern Super Tuesday could emerge as seven states are considering […]

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Volunteers and team members from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and World Central Kitchen organize meals for storm victims taking shelter at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center in Tampa, Florida. Image via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

Mitch Perry Report for 1.13.15 – Time for a serious driving while texting bill in Florida?

Florida's political parties see money dip after election

Jeff Brandes "looking into" possibly addressing civil forfeiture laws in Florida

Travis Hutson takes in another $80K in December for SD 6 race

Paul Renner continues fundraising haul for HD 24 special election

Peter Schorsch: Insights from the inauguration

Julie Delegal: Lousy education policy blurs line between public, private

Janelle Irwin: Thieves stole my ID, and it sucks

Bob West: How to give Florida a bigger role in picking the president

A March 1 date for Florida's presidential primary?