Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2016

While the political world focuses on Thursday night’s seventh Republican presidential debate in Des Moines (or the candidate hosting an event at nearby Drake University), it’s still to be decided whether a Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire will be held in a week. Hillary Clinton — in a must-win situation against Bernie Sanders for […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Immigration activists concerned about state legislation that they believe targets them held events throughout Florida on Wednesday, including in Tampa. There are several bills that the groups, going under the name “We Are Florida” are criticizing that are percolating in Tallahassee this current session — none more so than a measure (HB 675) sponsored by Yamaha Republican Larry Metz that could […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2016

Observers of the state Legislature in Tallahassee will recall the backlash that ensued after the Florida House passed a measure last year that effectively codified existing law that same-sex couples could adopt. The bill, sponsored by Miami Beach Democrat Dave Richardson, ultimately made it through the Senate, but not before there was another measure sponsored […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 26, 2016

We’ve heard a lot about illegal immigration on the campaign trail. Most of the GOP candidates decry it but say they embrace legal immigration. Like the H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 25, 2016

Wading into the debate in Tallahassee, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is slamming state lawmakers advocating that the state allow nearly 1.5 million Floridians with concealed carry permits to openly carry their firearms, rather than having to keep them hidden. “This bill is totally unnecessary,” Buckhorn declared at a news conference held at Tampa Police headquarters, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 25, 2016

San Mateo, California, is about halfway between San Francisco and Santa Clara, the site of Super Bowl 50 in 13 days. It’s also the hometown of Tom Brady, generally considered (after last year’s Super Bowl) The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), when it comes to ranking NFL quarterbacks in history. He wasn’t Sunday, though, was […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 18, 2016

Happy MLK Jr. Day, everybody. We’re 30 years into this day being a national holiday, and yet not even 40 percent of American businesses give the day off to their employees. Last night (at the very inconvenient hour of 9 p.m.) the three Democratic contenders for president debated in Charleston, South Carolina, two weeks before the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2016

OK, let’s not pretend that anyone out there is really all that interested, much less excited, that Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address tonight. I would say that it’s an antiquated relic that the country has transcended, and in fact, last year’s SOTU was the least viewed since 2000. Having […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 11, 2016

Good morning, everyone. What a weekend it’s been. On Saturday, I saw “The Revenant,” the quasi-true story of Mountain Man Hugh Glass, who was part of an expedition attacked by Indians in 1823. He was nearly torn to pieces by a bear near present-day Lemmon, S.D., and left for dead by two companions. Then there […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 10, 2016

The deadline to sign up to to get on the Affordable Care Act in 2016 ends in three weeks, which is why Health & Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell was in Tampa on Sunday. Burrell addressed the congregation at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the V.M. Ybor neighborhood of Tampa, where she was joined […]

Tag: Bob Buckhorn

Mitch Perry Report for 1.28.16 – Bernie Sanders uses new-found leverage in debate discussion

Activists want Bob Buckhorn to oppose immigration bill proposed in Tallahassee

Mitch Perry Report for 1.27.16 – “Pastor Protection Act” moves through state Senate

Mitch Perry Report for 1.26.16 — Not the Happiest Place on Earth?

Bob Buckhorn slams Legislature for pushing Open Carry legislation

Mitch Perry Report for 1.25.16 — Santa Clara will now be Peyton’s Place

Mitch Perry Report for 1.18.16 — Clinton and Sanders clash in Charleston

Mitch Perry Report for 1.12.16 — SOTU time, baby!

Mitch Perry Report for 1.11.16 – R.I.P. , David Bowie

HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell visits Tampa to tout ACA