Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

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Gov. Rick Scott got a figurative swift kick in the pants Monday when the head of Tampa’s leading business group told him to get a move on in filling a vacancy on the local aviation authority’s board. “Possibly unlike any appointment you will make, this next appointment is both an opportunity and your responsibility to make […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

For several years, it’s been a given that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would try to take his brand of leadership to a new level in 2018 by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Facing just token opposition in his re-election bid, Buckhorn won with nearly 96 percent of the vote in March, setting himself up […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 22, 2015

Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill is calling on Sheriff David Gee to investigate the contract awarded to Parsons Brinckerhoff for the public outreach effort for a proposed transportation sales tax. He’s also calling on PB to stop all work on the Go Hillsborough campaign, until Gee’s inquiry is complete. That second action sounds more dramatic than it […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 16, 2015

The Tampa political scene is still buzzing about WTSP’s Noah Pransky‘s comprehensive and damning report about the working relationship between Mayor Bob Buckhorn and consultant Beth Leytham. Undoubtedly, Pransky – already a George Polk award-winner – will collect a cabinet’s worth of trophies and accolades for his work. (I have a few problems with the […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 16, 2015

Sam Rashid is still a member of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, despite that by doing so, he is directly snubbing Gov. Rick Scott, the man who appointed him to the agency last year and is now calling on him to resign from the board. “Governor Scott expects him to resign and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 4, 2015

It was famed actor, celebrity and humanitarian George Clooney who once said that he doesn’t tweet. “Just because, I like to have a drink at night. I could easily say something stupid, and I also don’t think you need to be that available.” But there are lots of folks who just can’t help expressing themselves via the tools of […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Will there be a transit tax referendum placed on the 2016 Hillsborough County ballot? That question remains uncertain more than a year and a half out, which is why the ongoing public outreach effort called, “Go Hillsborough,” is so important. The effort has consisted of a series of public forums and some telephone town halls […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2015

Bob Buckhorn has never been shy about admitting that he’s thinking of running for governor in 2018. And, in fact, he may already be raising money for that effort. Up until the middle of last week, the Tampa mayor was telling members of the news media that he would be returning checks to contributors if […]

Tag: Beth Leytham
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Tampa Chamber CEO to Rick Scott: “You owe us” after Sam Rashid fiasco

Bob Buckhorn still considering 2018 run for governor

Mitch Perry Report for 9.22.15 – Hillsborough County transportation tax now DOA?

About Beth Leytham, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn should’ve gone “Clear and Present Danger”

Mitch Perry Report for 9.16.15 – Sam Rashid ignores Rick Scott’s call to step down

Mitch Perry Report for 9.4.15 – Sam Rashid is not backing down

New report on Hillsborough transit users puts “maintenance” as top priority

Bob Buckhorn already fundraising for 2018 gubernatorial bid?