Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2018

The Florida Commission on Ethics decided Friday to give Hillsborough County Commission Ken Hagan the opportunity to amend a petition requesting that activist George Niemann pay his legal fees. The decision came after a commission attorney advocated that Hagan’s petition be dismissed. The county paid Hagan’s attorney, Mark Levine, $7,841 last year to defend the District 5 commissioner […]

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

George Niemann decided: If he can’t beat ’em, why not join ’em? The Dover activist, who has filed at least 10 ethics complaints against Tampa and Hillsborough County officials over the past decade, will be running as a write-in candidate in the countywide open County Commission District 5 seat being vacated next year by Ken Hagan. […]

Mitch PerryOctober 26, 2017

The Florida Commission on Ethics announced Wednesday it has found no probable cause that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Commissioners Ken Hagan and Sandy Murman violated the state’s Code of Ethics. The commission’s investigation surrounded activities related to the Go Hillsborough effort. Go Hillsborough was a years -in-the-making proposal that would have placed a […]

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2016

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved a motion on Wednesday directing their attorney to research and provide draft language on a proposal that would ban them from receiving text messages from a lobbyist during a board meeting. However, the proposal’s ultimate passage is unclear, based on comments from some members. “In the event that we did receive a text […]

Peter SchorschJuly 29, 2016

An old proverb goes: “You are the company you keep.” Another saying, not quite as old, is “stop saying dumb things on social media.” That last one is a bit of wisdom Marco Rubio might have imparted on Republican activist Sam Rashid during Thursday’s $500-a-plate “Day One Marco” fundraiser in Tampa. Florida’s junior senator has […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

As first said by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, in the universe change is the only constant. Nowhere was that more applicable than in Tampa Bay during the past 12 months. From the much-ballyhooed dismissal of MaryEllen Elia as Hillsborough County School Board District superintendent to redistricting and the rising (and falling) fortunes for hizzoner Bob Buckhorn, many of the leading […]

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable “Caddyshack”: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments. That’s what […]

Peter SchorschDecember 17, 2015

As much as we would like to think otherwise, in politics, not everyone can be a winner. To put it another way, as Judge Smails did in the eminently quotable Caddyshack: “The world needs ditch-diggers, too.” Few will disagree that 2015 was a particularly fertile political year, one that produced a bumper crop of political disappointments – that’s what we get […]

Mitch PerryOctober 27, 2015

Although Bernie Sanders declared to Hillary Clinton and the nation two weeks ago that, “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails!,” the current FBI investigation regarding how many of Mrs. Clinton’s emails were classified will continue to play out. Now, apparently, we have a bit of an email controversy […]

Phil AmmannOctober 26, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Murman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce public records requested months ago. However, after a 10 News investigation, WTSP reporter Noah Pransky says one Commissioner is apologizing while the other blames county workers. The situation stems from an inquiry into the murky relationship between […]

Tag: Beth Leytham
The arrest of Nicholas Farley raises red flags about vote workers intimidation.

Ethics commission delays Ken Hagan’s legal fee case

Activist George Niemann files as write-in for Hillsborough Commission

Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough commissioners cleared in ethics probe

Hillsborough Commission to copy Richard Corcoran’s proposal to ban texting by lobbyists?

The company you keep: Sam Rashid turns up at Marco Rubio Tampa fundraiser

Mitch Perry’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Hillsborough politics

Peter Schorsch: The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

The 5 most disappointing Florida politicians of 2015

Mitch Perry Report for 10.27.15 – Hillsborough County’s email problem

After several requests, Hillsborough commissioners produce Beth Leytham emails they said didn’t exist