Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Immigration activists concerned about state legislation that they believe targets them held events throughout Florida on Wednesday, including in Tampa. There are several bills that the groups, going under the name “We Are Florida” are criticizing that are percolating in Tallahassee this current session — none more so than a measure (HB 675) sponsored by Yamaha Republican Larry Metz that could […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 21, 2016

In another “strange bedfellows” moment in the Florida Capitol, an array of conservative and progressive interests stood in the Rotunda to support state Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ bill to rein in what’s known as civil asset forfeiture. “Before your private property can be taken, you must, at least, be charged with a crime,” Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, […]

Jim RosicaDecember 28, 2015

FloridaPolitics.com and Context Florida contributor Florence Snyder adds a “funny Jeb” anecdote in light of The New York Times story on Bush’s dry sense of humor. “As his campaign has struggled to rejuvenate a languishing bid, some close to him have suggested the existence of a (very) secret weapon: It is at least possible that […]

Mitch PerryNovember 23, 2015

There’s been an increasing rise in reforming civil asset forfeiture laws around the country, with conservatives and libertarians (such as the Cato Institute) leading the cause in many cases. Civil asset forfeiture is the legal practice that allows law enforcement officials to seize private property and money that is suspected of aiding, or resulting from, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 24, 2015

A Republican lawmaker has filed a bill to regulate abortion clinics like ambulatory surgical centers, but one civil-liberties expert described it as another veiled effort to make it more difficult to get abortions in Florida. State Rep. Carlos Trujillo of Miami, who chairs the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, filed the bill (HB 233) on Thursday. The legislation adds […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 15, 2015

No, Hillary Clinton is not losing the race for the Democratic Primary, not if you take the Real Clear Politics average of the national spread between her and Bernie Sanders. She’s up overall by 21 percentage points. But in the first in the nation voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire? It’s a completely different […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Rumor du jour is that there will be another candidate getting into the wide open countywide Hillsborough County District 6 seat, but it’s not a Republican taking on Jim Norman. The rumor that percolated over the Labor Day weekend is John Dicks, the 62-year-old former Plant City Mayor and Commissioner, is contemplating entering the Democratic […]

Mitch PerryMarch 6, 2015

After the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner at the hands of law enforcement agencies last year, there was a nationwide clamor for police officers to begin wearing body cameras as a way to provide transparency and accountability for both the police and the citizenry. President Obama announced $263 million in funding for law enforcement […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2015

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott hailed Florida’s diversity, featuring sentences in his speech that mentioned “we are home to over 250 languages,” and “we are clearly the best melting pot in the world.” However, in Ybor City’s Centennial Park in Tampa on Wednesday, a group of immigration activists said […]

Mitch PerryMarch 4, 2015

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott hailed Florida’s diversity, featuring sentences in his speech that mentioned “we are home to over 250 languages,” and “we are clearly the best melting pot in the world.” However, in Ybor City’s Centennial Park in Tampa on Wednesday, a group of immigration activists said […]

Tag: ACLU of Florida

Activists want Bob Buckhorn to oppose immigration bill proposed in Tallahassee

Jeff Brandes draws diverse support for asset forfeiture overhaul

On Jeb Bush and bare loins in art

State report on civil asset forfeiture laws in Florida suggests reforms are needed

Bill would subject abortion clinics to higher regulation

Mitch Perry Report for 9.15.15 – Bernie Sanders does Liberty University

Mitch Perry Report for 9.9.15 – Another Democrat to enter Hillsborough County District 6 race?

ACLU, other groups withdraw support of police body camera bill

Activists say immigrants should count in Rick Scott’s Florida, too

Activists say immigrants should count in Rick Scott's Florida, too