Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: ACLU
U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Easter Sunday. Image via the Associated Press.

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

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"