Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 28, 2018

In Tampa Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott continued a statewide tour touting his proposed $500 million to make Florida’s public schools safer in the aftermath of the massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School two weeks ago. The Governor’s plan includes putting law enforcement officers in every Florida public school, assembling a “threat-assessment team” that would embed a member […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 22, 2018

A community forum to discuss the recent agreement between 17 Florida Sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is scheduled to take place Thursday night in St. Petersburg. That agreement allows local authorities to hold undocumented immigrants beyond the time they normally would have to be released based on state or local cases. It […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 21, 2018

State Rep. Kathleen Peters doesn’t want her Tuesday vote related to the House’s assault rifle ban to be seen as siding with any political faction. “Although I do believe we need common sense gun reform, I voted down on the motion because I am not that narrowly focused,” she said. The Treasure Island Republican was one […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 14, 2018

Immigration activists are telling potential visitors to “stay away” from Florida. Expressing concerns about reports of arrests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which grew at a larger rate in Florida than anywhere else in the country over the past year, as well as a recent pact between 17 sheriffs and ICE, groups of activists […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 31, 2018

Acknowledging they’ve been behind the curve in criminal justice reform, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will soon join some of Florida’s biggest counties in offering court diversion for adults. The HCSO announced Wednesday it would begin offering an Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (ADAP) program for adults 18 years and older beginning Feb. 1. The move comes […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 17, 2018

Saying they’re tired of Congress punting on the issue, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, joined by the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced a new agreement under which 17 local jails in Florida will hold undocumented immigrants for 48 hours after the inmate has posted bail to give federal agents time to […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2018

As the Florida House was approving a proposal championed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran to ban so-called sanctuary cities, Bob Buckhorn was ridiculing the notion in front of an audience approximately 300 miles to the south. At the St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater Friday, Tampa’s mayor argued that there are no such entities in the state of […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2018

Tampa Bay is more than a body of water — so much more. To start, an admission: I really missed writing about Tampa Bay, particularly its politics. With all that is going on in the region surrounding my beloved St. Petersburg, it was tough to resist being drawn back into the fray. And in the […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Hours before Hurricane Irma made its trek toward the Tampa Bay area, a territorial dispute erupted between Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill. The debate was over the mayor’s announcement earlier that day to impose an overnight curfew in Tampa. Merrill argued he was the only person in the county to have such jurisdiction, a claim […]

Mitch PerryOctober 16, 2017

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities aren’t the only entities who have an issue with Governor Rick Scott’s declaration that they must have generators that can power air-conditioning systems installed by next month. Sally Bishop, director of Pinellas County’s emergency management department, told state legislators Monday that there is an unintended consequence to Scott’s emergency declaration: […]

Tag: Bob Gualtieri
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

In Tampa, Rick Scott remains noncommittal on signing law to arm teachers

Bob Gualtieri vexed over immigration misinformation

On gun ban, Kathleen Peters stands her ground

Immigration activists call for ‘Emergency Travel Advisory’ for Florida

Hillsborough County rolls out adult court diversion program

ICE, Florida counties strike deal on new immigrant detention policy

Tampa Bay mayors come out swinging against GOP-led Legislature at Tiger Bay

Not Just A Body Of Water — 1.7.18

As for curfews, Bob Gualtieri says he is not a fan

Pinellas emergency manager has issue with Rick Scott’s emergency generator rule