Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 27, 2015

A really unusual thing happened this weekend — ABC’s much-hyped interview with Bruce Jenner wasn’t terrible. If fact, it was riveting, as the former Olympic hero acknowledged what has hardly been a secret during the past year or so – he’s transitioning to becoming a woman. “My whole life has prepared me for this moment,” Jenner […]

Mitch PerryApril 22, 2015

During her 5 1/2 years as Tampa police chief, Jane Castor been given mostly positive reviews from the media and the community, although high-profile department misdoings have been reported. Nothing, though, has rocked the department more than the revelations published Sunday by the Tampa Bay Times. Reporters Alexandra Zayas and Kameel Stanley wrote that the […]

Mitch PerryApril 22, 2015

Three days after the Tampa Bay Times explosive story that blacks in Tampa are being racially profiled and over-policed by law enforcement, Mayor Bob Buckhorn has finally issued a response. The upshot is that he says the Tampa Police Department will implement a new tracking system to monitor “every traffic stop, ticket, and warning issued, […]

James CallApril 2, 2015

Civil Rights groups are sounding the alarm about public records exemptions in a police body camera bill moving through the Senate. A coalition that includes the ACLU intend to argue Thursday the exemptions are so broad they prevent disclosure of evidence of police misconduct “even in the most egregious circumstances”. Groups including Latino Justice, Organize […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

Speaking to talk-show host Bill Bunkley on Tuesday, Ocala House Republican Dennis Baxley stood by his decision to reverse his vote on the gay adoption issue. He initially voted for HB 7013, which would provide incentives to state workers who adopt children from foster care — while also repealing part of state law that in […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

Speaking to talk-show host Bill Bunkley on Tuesday, Ocala House Republican Dennis Baxley stood by his decision to reverse his vote on the gay adoption issue. He initially voted for HB 7013, which would provide incentives to state workers who adopt children from foster care — while also repealing part of state law that in […]

Mitch PerryMarch 24, 2015

The city of Tampa’s uneventful election season comes to a halt Tuesday night. By 8 p.m. we should have a winner in the only city council race that remains undecided — the District 6 battle between Guido Maniscalco and Jackie Toledo. I hate the overuse of the term “Seinfeld” to describe something as being about […]

Mitch PerryMarch 23, 2015

Last week the House Health & Human Services Committee approved a proposal that would allow private adoption agencies to object to “performing, assisting in, recommending, consenting to, or participating in the placement of a child if a placement violates the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.” The measure, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2015

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa will be of one of about 100 members of Congress to participate in the 50th anniversary of the march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., this weekend. The original march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge was one of the crucial civil rights march that led to the historic […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

Six weeks after he said he was considering filing such legislation, St. Petersburg Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes on Thursday filed a bill that prohibits law enforcement agencies from retaining property and assets seized from individuals who are not convicted of a crime. Civil forfeiture is a controversial legal process that allows police to take assets from […]

Tag: ACLU
Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 4.27.15 — Bruce Jenner’s journey

Tampa Police chief seeks federal review of black bicyclists’ citations, calls news story unfair

Bob Buckhorn responds to Tampa Bay Times story on TPD targeting black bicyclists

Civil rights groups oppose police body camera bill, alarmed by public records exemptions

Dennis Baxley on gay adoption reversal: “I simply can’t affirm homosexuality”

Dennis Baxley on gay adoption reversal: "I simply can't affirm homosexuality"

Mitch Perry Report for 3.24.15 — Tampa’s election season ends tonight

ACLU attorney says new House bill to prevent gay adoptions in Florida is unconstitutional

Kathy Castor taking part in congressional march on Selma bridge this weekend

Jeff Brandes files bill to amend civil forfeiture law in Florida