Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 1, 2017

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Ed Hooper, the former Republican State Representative and Clearwater City Commissioner, will be featured at a high-profile fundraiser Wednesday in his bid for Florida Senate. Hooper is seeking to succeed term-limited Jack Latvala in Senate District 16, which covers much of north Pinellas County. A reception will begin 5 PM at Mugs ‘N Jugs, 40737 […]

Mitch PerryApril 20, 2017

Over the past month, juvenile justice bills moving through the Florida Legislature this spring have veered off in different directions. On Thursday, the House version (HB 205), sponsored by Seminole Republican Larry Ahern, changed again in the House Judiciary Committee. Ahern’s bill would expunge the arrests of juveniles for certain first-time misdemeanor crimes. That differs significantly […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2017

Reacting to the Donald Trump administration’s hardline policy on immigration — which has included threats to withhold federal grants from jurisdictions that act as “sanctuaries” — more than 100 mayors from around the country signed onto a letter to Congress calling on it to revisit and pass comprehensive reform legislation. Among those signing the letter are Tallahassee […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2017

There are a number of bills floating in the Florida Legislature this year that deal with criminal justice reform, but one that has law enforcement completely flummoxed is a bill that would remove their discretion to charge a minor regarding a variety of first-time offenses. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores‘ bill (SB 196) requires a law enforcement […]

Drew WilsonMarch 8, 2017

The Florida Highway Patrol came out against a proposed committee bill Wednesday that would hand over agency funding and jurisdiction in two counties. CRJ 17-01 from the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee could give the Pinellas County and Polk County sheriff’s offices a combined $6 million to handle crashes on state roads within county borders. FHP Lt. Col. […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 6, 2017

Whether you agree with the rules or you don’t, it’s never wise for a person in authority to say they are not going to follow the law. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman essentially did that when he stated the following in a blog post: “While our county sheriff’s office is ultimately responsible for notifying the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2017

Although St. Petersburg isn’t officially classified as a sanctuary city, Mayor Rick Kriseman all but declared that’s exactly what his town is on Saturday. And if the Trump administration wants to deny the city federal funds because of that stance, the mayor’s response is essentially, ‘We’ll see you in court.’ “While our county sheriff’s office is ultimately responsible […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 25, 2017

The former Colorado marijuana czar encouraged Florida lawmakers to invest in public education as they begin discussions about implementing Amendment 2. Andrew Freedman, the former director of marijuana coordination in Colorado, told the House Quality Subcommittee that the state should consider investing in public education, even before tax dollars derived from the medical marijuana industry […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2017

A bill to set up a civil citation program for juveniles statewide advanced Monday through a Florida Senate committee. However, questions about removing officer discretion may need to be addressed before the proposal gets widespread support from lawmakers later this Session. Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores’ bill (SB 196) would mandate law enforcement officers to offer a civil citation […]

Anne LindbergNovember 8, 2016

Democrat Charlie Justice faced down a challenge from first-time candidate Mike Mikurak to win a second term on the Pinellas County Commission. Justice took the lead early in the evening with about 53. 5 percent of the vote and never looked back. Voters were treated to two distinctly different styles in the race for the […]

Tag: Bob Gualtieri

Ed Hooper to host major Tarpon Springs fundraiser Wednesday

House advances juvenile justice bill, adding adult diversion program

Bob Buckhorn, Andrew Gillum among the 100 mayors calling on Congress to fix immigration system

Law enforcement says Anitere Flores’ civil citations proposal still ‘a non-starter’

House bill could transfer millions from FHP to county sheriffs

With sanctuary city comment, Rick Kriseman defiant, but misguided

Rick Kriseman declares St. Petersburg a ‘sanctuary from harmful immigration laws’

House Health Quality panel hears from former Colorado pot czar

Bill to expand juvenile civil citations raises questions on officer discretion

Charlie Justice wins second term on Pinellas County Commission