Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2015

Last week the Tampa Bay Business Journal reported that HART is seeking more than $50 million from the Florida Legislature this year, an amount that apparently surprised some members of the Hillsborough County transit agency. “I don’t remember $50 million,” board member Bryan Crino confessed at the agency’s monthly board meeting on Monday. That’s because most of […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2015

What a difference four years make. On March 1, 2011, Bob Buckhorn and his supporters crammed into JJ’s Cafe and Bar in Ybor City, fingers crossed, hoping he would make it into the run-off election three weeks later. He did, barely, getting 384 more votes than Dick Greco. Flash forward three weeks later, and Buckhorn […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 23, 2015

Early voting for Tampa municipal elections starts Monday at seven locations citywide. It runs through March 1. Election Day is March 3. Officials expect voter turnout this election to be low despite more absentee ballots being returned than the previous municipal election. That’s because there’s not a lot of action on the ballot. There won’t […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

To its supporters, it was a case of justice delayed but not denied, when on Thursday the Florida Board of Governor in Tallahassee unanimously recommended the state provide $57 million to USF to move its medical center to downtown Tampa. The next step in the process for the $153 million center to house the Morsani […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2015

Last week, at a candidates forum in South Tampa, District 4 challenger Kent King assailed incumbent Harry Cohen’s performance on council over the past four years, saying he hasn’t represented South Tampa well at City Hall. But after King told moderator Christine Burdick at this morning’s Downtown Partnership candidates forum that the City Council is not the “lead […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2015

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Although Democrats Bob Buckhorn and Rick Kriseman are close political allies, they definitely don’t always share the same public policy prescriptions. Throughout much of 2014, there was a demand among progressives in Florida and across the nation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. The minimum wage in Florida currently is $8.05 an […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 16, 2015

On Valentine’s Day, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor used the occasion to advocate that the best present to give a loved one was to make sure they signed up for the Affordable Care Act, since the the deadline for enrollment expired Sunday night. “If you were to ask me what would be the best […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 14, 2015

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The clock is ticking today, and not just for guys who have yet to buy anything for their better halfs for Valentine’s Day. “If you were to ask me what would be the best Valentine that you could give to your loved one, I would tell you today to get them signed up, ” said Tampa […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

In recent years Tampa City Council members like Mary Mulhern, Yolie Capin, Harry Cohen and Charlie Miranda have made trips to the communist island, as more and more of the political and business establishment say they want the city to be in the best position if and when the now 53-year-old economic embargo ends. Since […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 11, 2015

There have been just a handful of forums in this year’s Tampa City Council campaign to date, but one theme has risen above the rest: Downtown Tampa is doing very well, perhaps even thriving. That’s a great thing, but the city needs to spread the wealth out to the rest of its many neighborhoods in […]

Tag: Bob Buckhorn

Hillsborough County transit agency has $50 million in needs from Tallahassee this session

Bob Buckhorn ready to party on Election Night

Early voting begins in Tampa but turnout expectation is low

State BOG all in for USF med school move to downtown Tampa

Transit talk dominates discussion at Tampa Downtown Partnership City Council forum

At NAACP forum, Tampa City Council candidates talk livable wages, red-light cameras and body cameras for police

Mitch Perry Report for 2.16.15 — Deadline for Obamacare sign-up has expired. Or has it?

Bob Buckhorn and Kathy Castor make last hour call for the uninsured to sign up for ACA

Tampa City Council candidates favor hosting a Cuban consulate

Mitch Perry Report for 2.11.15 — The biggest concern among Tampa residents this election year