Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 11, 2015

Like it or not, Hollywood productions, like sports owners, have been able to play cities and states against each other for years to get the best deal for themselves. Tampa Bay area residents are all too familiar with getting burned by giving welfare to rich folks. You don’t have to have lived in the area […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

Mitch PerryMarch 9, 2015

Florida lawmakers last year approved a plan to set aside $7 million in sales-tax revenue to help pay for building or renovating sports stadiums. Last month, though, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission punted on the decision on whether or not to fund the four stadium projects before them: EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Daytona International Speedway, Sun […]

Mitch PerryMarch 8, 2015

The drive to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot next year that would allow Floridians more choice about using solar power has enjoyed quick success, and furious push-back from their opponents. On Saturday, Conservatives for Energy Freedom, one of the groups pushing for a constitutional amendment in 2016 on solar, blasted the group Americans for […]

Ryan RayMarch 1, 2015

Session starts on Tuesday, which means three things for Monday: the drink, drop and dash fundraising frenzy before the 60-day curtain falls; last minute roommate arrangements; and the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) pre-Session welcome back reception for legislators, staff and politicos, drawing easily 2,000 attendees each year. Tallahassee reaches full capacity during March and April, bringing […]

Ryan RayFebruary 25, 2015

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With even the staunchest usual allies of business like Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce joining together to support increased funding for Medicaid — a move that did not go uncriticized by the even more zealously free-market group Americans for Prosperity — it comes as little surprise that the more levelheaded Florida […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 18, 2015

Advocates for repealing Florida’s Prohibition-era laws separating alcohol and grocery sales scored a significant victory Wednesday from a House committee. House Business and Professions Subcommittee passed HB 107, a proposal from Sarasota Republican state Rep. Greg Steube seeking to repeal the law preventing liquor stores and retailers from selling spirits in the same aisle as beer […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2015

My TweetDeck was filled with comments of respect for David Carr around 1:30 a.m. this morning. I had turned to it immediately after reading of his shocking death on the website of his beloved New York Times. Eric Deggans has called him the finest media reporter of his generation, and he was that, and a whole lot […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

The Florida chapter of Americans for Prosperity is running a new radio ad for the next 10 days, calling on listeners to contact their local representative or state senator to oppose tax breaks for two major industries looking for a break in Tallahassee this year: sports and Hollywood. The Legislature is contemplating providing a tax […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 29, 2015

At the Associated Press’ annual legislative planning meeting in Tallahassee on Wednesday, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli tossed a wet blanket on the coalition of businesses in Florida pushing for the state to expand Medicaid in 2015, saying,”House still stands where we stood before: We do not plan to do anything on Medicaid expansion.” Advocates for Medicaid expansion […]

Tag: Americans for Prosperity

Mitch Perry Report for 3.11.15 — Film incentives bill takes firstst step in Tally

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel

Obama budget would bar tax-exempt bonds to finance stadiums

The battle over solar power heats up in Florida as proponents fend off attacks from Americans for Prosperity

Associated Industries of Florida to host annual pre-Session blowout Monday night

Florida Health Care Association stakes out 2015 legislative agenda

Bill to repeal state alcohol/grocery separation law passes Florida House committee

Mitch Perry Report for 2.13.15 – RIP, David Carr

AFP goes on air to blast sports, film incentives

At Tampa presser, Rick Scott avoids responding to question on Medicaid expansion