Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

For several years, it’s been a given that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would try to take his brand of leadership to a new level in 2018 by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Facing just token opposition in his re-election bid, Buckhorn won with nearly 96 percent of the vote in March, setting himself up […]

Mitch PerryOctober 9, 2015

The activists went home unhappy Thursday night, but their goals were never the same as the majority on the Tampa City Council regarding the creation of a citizens review board to watchdog the Tampa Police Department. City Council voted 5-2 Thursday evening to a compromise proposal on who gets to select the members of the […]

Mitch PerryJuly 24, 2015

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Florida is one of only three states that require a governor’s order to restore civil rights to ex-felons. As the law stands, men and women released from the prison system must wait five years before applying for full citizenship rights. Then they must petition the governor and Cabinet for clemency, a process that can take 10 […]

Mitch PerryJune 25, 2015

Bob Buckhorn travels to Tallahassee Friday in what is being seen as his first overt move to broaden his statewide appeal in advance of 2018, when he’ll likely take a run at the Democratic nomination for governor. The Tampa mayor speaks to the Tallahassee Tiger Bay Club on Friday, as well as tape an appearance […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2015

Criminal justice reform has become a hot topic this year, and Rand Paul isn’t the only Republican talking about such efforts on the GOP campaign trail. Crime rates have been dropping across the country over the past decade, but in Florida the state’s incarceration rates have continued to rise. The ACLU will soon pick three […]

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

Thirty-eights years after Anita Bryant, Florida no longer officially bans gays from adopting children. Although it’s been legal for such couples to adopt since 2010, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law Thursday night that now makes that official. The issue roiled social conservatives in and outside of the Legislature this spring. The inclusion of […]

Mitch PerryMay 21, 2015

Although he’s been on the job for nearly two weeks, Eric Ward didn’t officially become the new Tampa police chief until Thursday morning, when the city council unanimously confirmed his appointment. It came while dozens of his fellow TPD officers crammed into the council’s intimate chambers to part of the occasion. Ward, 48, grew up […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller said Friday he thinks the Tampa Police Department’s policies on bicycle infractions, which disproportionately singled out blacks in the city, is wrong and should be discontinued until the Justice Department concludes its review of the policy. However, he doesn’t think it should hold up the confirmation of newly appointed police Chief […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

A half-hour after Eric Ward was named the new Tampa police chief on Thursday, two city council members joined a coalition of activist groups who again called on the Tampa Police Department to temporarily stop their current bike citation policy. Council Chairman Frank Reddick and District 7 Councilwoman Lisa Montelione joined members of the ACLU, […]

Melissa RossApril 29, 2015

He hasn’t even been sworn in yet, but incoming Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson is already experiencing the headaches of leadership. Susan Aertker of Americans United for Separation of Church and State has emailed Anderson to ask him to (once again) change the rules about Council meetings and sectarian vs. inclusive prayers during the invocation. Under […]

Tag: ACLU
Image via AP.

Bob Buckhorn still considering 2018 run for governor

Mitch Perry Report for 10.9.15 – First chapter in Tampa citizens review board saga ends

Bid for constitutional amendment to restore ex-felons’ rights not looking good for 2016 ballot

Bob Buckhorn takes his act to Tallahassee

Florida under consideration for ACLU push on sentencing reform?

Mitch Perry Report for 6.12.15 — On this LGBT issue, Florida and Rick Scott resist social conservative pressures

Eric Ward confirmed by Tampa City Council as new police chief

Les Miller: Suspend TPD bike policy but confirm new chief

2 Tampa City Council members say bike policy will guide votes on new police chief

Email insights: Sectarian prayer issue flares up again at Jax City Council