Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 3, 2015

Happy Passover/Good Friday to everyone. I don’t think about it often, but a quasi-holiday like today makes me sympathetic to all those in media land who have to produce a full television or radio broadcast on a day that doesn’t portend to contain a lot of news, at least not domestically. When I was producing an […]

Mitch PerryApril 3, 2015

Happy Passover/Good Friday to everyone. I don’t think about it often, but a quasi-holiday like today makes me sympathetic to all those in media land who have to produce a full television or radio broadcast on a day that doesn’t portend to contain a lot of news, at least not domestically. When I was producing an […]

Bruce RitchieApril 1, 2015

The Senate on Wednesday passed an $80.4 billion budget after adding $35 million for land acquisition to send a message to supporters of Amendment 1. In November, 75 percent of voters approved the funding initiative which is estimated to provide nearly $742 million for water and land conservation programs. The proposed budget had included $2 […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 31, 2015

Amendment 1 supporters on Tuesday flooded senators with calls urging them to support funding for land-buying in advance of Senate floor action on the state budget Wednesday. In November, 75 percent of voters statewide supported the water and land conservation funding initiative that provides an estimated $741 million in the 2015-16 state budget. The proposed […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2015

Over the weekend, Scripps reporter Matt Dixon tuned into one of the biggest behind-the-scenes battles this session few other outlets are even talking about – the fight to replace Florida’s aging statewide, law enforcement radio system. You will note that SPB has covered the issue since it first began back in February and more recently, last week. But Dixon’s story […]

Peter SchorschMarch 31, 2015

Over the weekend, Scripps reporter Matt Dixon tuned into one of the biggest behind-the-scenes battles this session few other outlets are even talking about – the fight to replace Florida’s aging statewide, law enforcement radio system. You will note that SPB has covered the issue since it first began back in February and more recently, last week. But Dixon’s story […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 29, 2015

Words matter, or they should – at least for journalists. Not necessarily for politicians. Case in point: the Florida House leadership saying that it has $205 million in the proposed 2015-16 state budget for Florida Forever, the state’s land-buying program. Nope, not true. In fact, the House budget proposal doesn’t include a single dollar for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 29, 2015

Words matter, or they should – at least for journalists. Not necessarily for politicians. Case in point: the Florida House leadership saying that it has $205 million in the proposed 2015-16 state budget for Florida Forever, the state’s land-buying program. Nope, not true. In fact, the House budget proposal doesn’t include a single dollar for […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 27, 2015

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Conservationist Mallory Lykes Dimmitt, biologist Joe Guthrie and photographer Carlton Ward Jr. sat secluded while eating lunch in the back room of a Tallahassee restaurant on Thursday, unaware that rain that had begun pouring down outside. A week earlier they would have been out in the weather while hiking, bicycling, paddling and camping on a […]

Bruce RitchieMarch 25, 2015

A Senate budget amendment that would have provided $350 million for land-buying was withdrawn Wednesday but the senator who sponsored it said it could come back. In November, 75 percent of voters approved a ballot initiative called Amendment 1 that provides an estimated $741 million in fiscal 2015-16 for water and land conservation. The proposed Senate budget […]

Tag: Alan Hays

Mitch Perry Report for 4.3.15 – Does the Florida House agree there’s too much “damn testing” going on?

Mitch Perry Report for 4.3.15 – Does the Florida House agree there's too much "damn testing" going on?

Senate adds $35 million for land-buying before passing budget

With Senate budget amendments teed up, calls flood senators

Did Harris Corporation announce plans to sole-source Florida’s police radio system?

Did Harris Corporation announce plans to sole-source Florida's police radio system?

Bruce Ritchie: Is House giving Florida Forever $205 million? Nope

Bruce Ritchie: Is House giving Florida Forever $205 million? Nope

After 1,000-mile trek, trio meets with legislators to talk conservation

Budget amendment for land-buying withdrawn but may be back, senator says