Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2017

This summer, the Tampa Tiger Bay Club has bypassed its normal practice of asking politicians to come into its den. Instead, the civic-minded organization has invited speakers to discuss some of the pressing issues facing Florida. This has often led to advocates and critics of an issue dueling it out during Tiger Bay forums. Not […]

Mitch PerryJune 4, 2017

After the bloody assault at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando nearly a year ago resulted in the deaths of 49 people, 13 members of the Florida Legislature — 12 Democrats and Miami GOP state Sen. Anitere Flores — were on the losing side of a request to hold a special session on gun regulations. Despite that attitude at the Capitol, Michelle Gajda, the […]

Mitch PerryMay 23, 2017

Floridians interested in crime and the criminal justice system in their own communities have a new tool at their disposal. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, the nonprofit Measures for Justice (MFJ) launched a first-of-its-kind Data Portal seeking to bring transparency to the criminal justice process — from arrest to post-conviction at the county level — throughout Florida and other […]

Mitch PerryMay 22, 2017

In recent years, criminal justice reform, especially in drug sentencing, has taken on more momentum, with governors in some of most conservative parts of the country embracing such efforts. In Florida, progressive State Attorney candidates like Andrew Warren in Tampa and Aramis Ayala in Orlando won their respective races last year by running on a similar […]

Scott PowersApril 18, 2017

Lawmakers looking to cut budget and staffing levels of Orlando’s State Attorney Aramis Ayala note that she has so many unfilled staff positions that the cuts should not affect performance, yet a statewide look shows her operation is pretty typical of state attorneys offices. Almost all of Florida’s state attorneys – as well as Florida’s public defenders, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2017

After Rick Scott removed Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the case of accused cop killer Markeith Loyd after she announced she would not pursue the death penalty in his or any other case during her tenure. Later, Dover House Republican Ross Spano called on Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to condemn Ayala’s actions. Warren refused, saying that he would seek out the death penalty only […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 2, 2017

Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren selected prosecutor Christopher Moody to serve as the new Chief Assistant State Attorney. As Chief Assistant, Moody will supervise the 135 Assistant State Attorneys who prosecute cases on behalf of the Office. In addition, he will be responsible for executing the State Attorney’s policy initiatives, overseeing the daily operations […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2017

We’ve heard from several Florida Democrats (such as Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist) that, when appropriate, they look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump once he takes office later this month. The question for them and other Democrats concerned about their own poll numbers as well as what’s good for the country is where and when they decide to go along with Trump […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 4, 2017

Over the weekend, the Times’ Rick Danielson and Sue Carlton shared a byline online where they essentially discussed the Bob Buckhorn Experience in Tampa, close to six years after he was elected mayor. Although the initial thrust of the story was how the Mayor wasn’t above looking a little silly on occasions to sell a particular program or […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2016

Over the summer, a hacker who went by the nom de guerre of Guccifer 2.0 began distributing internal documents from the Democratic National Committee to a variety of reporters and bloggers here in Florida. I was one of those recipients. I bring that up this morning because of the story in Wednesday’s NY Times , which revisits […]

Tag: Andrew Warren
Pastel colored tropical townhomes

Advocates push for restoration of voting rights for ex-felons at Tampa Tiger Bay Forum

In Tampa, public officials call for common sense solutions to end gun violence epidemic

New national website gives data on how justice is served in every Florida county

Andrew Warren and Aramis Ayala blast Jeff Sessions plan for stricter sentencing in criminal cases

Not just Aramis Ayala: Almost all state attorneys have lots of job openings for prosecutors, support staff

Julianne Holt expresses concerns about Rick Scott’s move on Aramis Ayala

Personnel note: Christopher Moody named Hillsborough County Chief Assistant State Attorney

Mitch Perry Report for 1.5.17 – Poll says voters want Dems like Bill Nelson to fight Donald Trump when necessary

Mitch Perry Report for 1.4.17 — Waitin’ on the man

Mitch Perry Report for 12.14.16 – Fun with Guccifer 2.0