Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2016

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After the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Obergefell v. Hodges case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, more than 20 state legislatures reacted by passing religious freedom laws to protect clergy. This month, Florida became the latest state to do so after Gov. Rick Scott signed the Pastor Protection Act. The new law shields religious entities […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2016

In a major announcement, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. said Thursday it will stop breeding captive killer whales. On the company’s blog, the company said it’s phasing out over the next three years theatrical performances featuring orcas. “We will introduce new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows, as part of our ongoing commitment to education, marine […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2016

The Tampa City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution calling on elected officials in Congress to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the controversial free trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations. It’s intended to reduce trade barriers between the 12 countries by lowering tariffs on goods, coordinating regulations and much more. The proposal […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2016

Tampa/St. Petersburg Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced on Monday that she has been asked by President Obama to join him and the First Lady on his historic trip to Cuba, which begins on Sunday. “This monumental and historic step is needed to help turn the page on a failed policy of isolation and move forward with greater engagement […]

Mitch PerryMarch 10, 2016

Hillary Clinton continued her three-day swing through the Sunshine State on Thursday by speaking to a rapturous crowd of approximately 600 admirers at the Ritz Ybor nightclub in Tampa’s Ybor City, where she said that she was ready for whomever the Republicans will nominate for president in a general election contest. “People ask me all the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 10, 2016

In what is being dubbed by critics as the “low-energy” summit, Jeb Bush is scheduled to meet today in Miami separately with John Kasich and Ted Cruz, after reportedly already meeting with Marco Rubio on Wednesday. The idea being, I take it, is that Jeb might come out with an endorsement. If he’s going to do […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2016

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The collective brain trusts of much of the Tampa political establishment is feeling a little bit better Monday morning, after state lawmakers included the requested funding for USF medical school in downtown Tampa. The House and Senate announced was a decision to spend more than $700 million on construction projects in Florida’s public schools, universities, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 7, 2016

Wouldn’t it be interesting, as comedian Sarah Silverman noted on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night, for all of the candidates — Republicans and Democrats — to debate at one time? The differences between the two parties standard-bearers would become event more evident. Take the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, for example. During Thursday night’s GOP debate […]

Mitch PerryMarch 5, 2016

Although early voting for the March 15 presidential primary began in Hillsborough County and other counties in Florida earlier this week, the process went statewide on Saturday, and the Hillary Clinton campaign seized on that development by sending high profile surrogates go to the polls. In the Tampa Bay area, that meant having Mayor Bob […]

Mitch PerryMarch 3, 2016

Dozens of supporters for Hillary Clinton‘s presidential campaign packed the front of the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City on Wednesday night to celebrate the opening of her Tampa office, 13 days before Florida’s March 15 presidential primary. “You are standing in ground zero of American politics,” Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn declared while standing atop the […]

Tag: Bob Buckhorn

Florida’s Pastor Protection Act doesn’t go as far as Georgia’s — and that’s a good thing for NFL fans

Mitch Perry Report for 3.17.16 – SeaWorld takes seminal step for animal rights

Tampa City Council passes resolution opposing Trans Pacific Partnership

Kathy Castor joining President Obama in trip to Cuba next week

Hillary Clinton vows to give high-speed rail another look in Florida if elected president

Mitch Perry Report for 3.10.16 – Why hasn’t the Florida GOP establishment rallied around Marco Rubio?

Tampa political establishment pleased by inclusion of money for USF medical school

Mitch Perry Report for 3.7.16 — Dems tag team on Rick Snyder in Flint

Bob Buckhorn says the rise of Donald Trump could lead to the erosion of the modern GOP

Excitement, concern as Hillary Clinton campaign opens Tampa office

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.