Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Dominic CalabroJanuary 17, 2017

Politicians talk repeatedly about doing things to help create jobs. But, sometimes, doing nothing is the best option. We hope that newly-elected lawmakers understand that less government intrusion is often the key to keeping the American Dream alive. A great example is the 2009 “Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.” This innocuously named effort actually […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 17, 2017

Over the weekend, Florida Democrats elected Miami rich guy Stephen Bittel to lead their party. The choice was controversial and left many members screaming that Bittel is the wrong man at the wrong time. They have their reasons, I guess. But, let me ask a simple question: Whom would be the right person? The political […]

Brendan FarringtonJanuary 15, 2017

The state Republican and Democratic parties met two miles from each other Saturday, their first meetings since Donald Trump carried Florida in November’s election, but the atmosphere and enthusiasm were worlds apart. As both parties chose their leaders, it was easy to see which has more confidence heading into an election cycle when the governor’s […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2017

A large protest is being planned this weekend at the Suwannee River State Park against the construction of the Sabal Trail Pipeline. Activists fear that the $3.2 billion, 515-mile natural gas pipeline that is intended to run through North Florida into Central Florida will create a huge environmental calamity and contaminate the state’s drink water supply. Construction […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 6, 2017

An Army veteran who complained that the government was controlling his mind drew a gun from his checked luggage on arrival at the Fort Lauderdale airport and opened fire in the baggage claim area Friday, killing five people and wounding eight, authorities said. He was taken into custody after throwing his empty weapon down and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2017

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On Wednesday, the second day of the 115th Congress, House Republicans began the work of repealing and ultimately replacing the Affordable Care Act, much to the consternation of Democrats like Tampa Representative Kathy Castor. Castor advocated for an amendment to a bill that was being debated that would maintain the consumer friendly provisions of the ACA, such […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 5, 2017

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman filed for re-election Thursday. “I’m asking the citizens of St. Petersburg to continue the progress of the past three years,” the mayor said in a statement. “Working together, we’ve taken on the serious issues and made a positive impact in all corners of our city.” The announcement comes nearly three years to […]

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

Of the many Cabinet choices made by President-elect Donald Trump, some of the strongest opposition centers around the nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Wednesday morning in Tampa, a group of activists spoke with officials in Sen. Bill Nelson‘s district office, calling on him at the very least to call for a delay a vote […]

Scott PowersJanuary 3, 2017

Florida’s Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has picked up a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee in the 115th Congress to go along with his appointments to the foreign relations and intelligence committees while Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson‘s remained unchanged from the previous Congress. Rubio also received a seat on the Special Committee […]

Tag: Bill Nelson
Image via AP.

Dominic Calabro: Keeping cigars in the Cigar City

Stephen Bittel for Florida Democrats, what do you have to lose?

Tale of 2 parties: Florida GOP high, Dems low ahead of 2018

Nearly 90,000 people have signed Tim Canova’s petition to stop Sabal Trail Pipeline

US veteran arrested in Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting; 5 dead, 8 wounded

Kathy Castor proposal to maintain ACA’s consumer friendly protections shot down in House vote

Rick Kriseman formally announces he’s running for re-election

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

Activists want Bill Nelson to delay confirmation hearing on AG nominee Jeff Sessions

Marco Rubio picks up appropriations, aging panels; Nelson’s committees unchanged