Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersDecember 21, 2017

Recent DEA raids on storefront shops that specialize in selling Canadian prescriptions drugs to Central Florida seniors have U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and others in Florida’s congressional delegation wondering whether there has been an unannounced change in federal policy. In the past few weeks, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided nine shops in the region […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2017

It’s no secret that one of the most significant problems dragging down the Tampa Bay-area economy is a lack of sufficient transportation options, as well as the lack of money to fund potential solutions. Attempting to provide a partial solution are Tampa-area state legislators Dana Young and Jamie Grant, who publicly discussed their bill that […]

Mitch PerryDecember 11, 2017

With just four days left before the 2018 Affordable Care Act sign-up deadline, the Tampa Bay area’s two Democrats — Charlie Crist and Kathy Castor — met Monday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Tampa to get the word out before they head back to Washington. “Time is short,” said Castor, repeating her frustration that […]

Mitch PerryDecember 8, 2017

Vito Sheeley, who has filed to oppose Wengay Newton in 2018 for House District 70, blasted the St. Petersburg Democrat Friday for proposing legislation that would criminally charge car theft victims. “This is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard out of Wengay Newton,” Sheeley said. “And that’s saying a lot.” Making his first run […]

Mitch PerryDecember 1, 2017

Who says bipartisanship is dead in Washington? Tampa Bay-area Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist and Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis are teaming up to sponsor a bill that would prohibit U.S. military assistance to any country that sells restricted weapons or technology to Iran. The No Arms Sales To Iran Act‘s goal is to discourage foreign governments from […]

Mitch PerryNovember 30, 2017

With the way U.S. congressional districts are apportioned, any representative who wins their seat by less than five points is considered to be in a swing-seat district. That makes them potentially vulnerable in a re-election bid. Other (sometimes unforeseen) variables also determine the political landscape in an electoral cycle, such as a “wave” election that […]

Jim RosicaNovember 29, 2017

The main backer of a proposed constitutional amendment that would automatically restore some felons’ voting rights after they complete their sentences told Florida Politics his effort now has collected over 900,000 signatures. “Knowing that we set the goal of collecting 1 million, the fact that we are less than 100,000 petitions away from our goal […]

Mitch PerryNovember 20, 2017

Like most House Democrats, St. Petersburg Congressman Charlie Crist voted against the GOP tax reform bill that passed last Thursday. The House’s tax overhaul reduces the number of individual tax brackets, cuts the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent and curbs other tax breaks and deductions. The plan, in total, would lower taxes […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2017

Chris Hart IV, who last was with Florida TaxWatch, will be the next CEO of the statewide Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers association, according to a Friday press release. He starts Dec. 4. Hart “will provide strong leadership to our association,” said Marcia M. Johnson, Franklin County Clerk and Comptroller and 2017-18 Board President, in a statement. […]

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2017

Earlier this month, the U.S. House voted to reauthorize federal funding to maintain the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage to 8.9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women. In a new digital ad, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is blasting St. Petersburg Democrat Charlie Crist for voting against the measure. The Healthy Kids Act […]

Tag: Charlie Crist
Image via the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Local DEA raids lead Bill Nelson to inquire on Canadian drug availability

Dana Young, Jamie Grant seeks to provide cash for ‘innovative’ Tampa Bay transit

Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor call for Obamacare sign-ups as deadline looms

Wengay Newton shrugs off Vito Sheeley criticism of car theft measure

Charlie Crist, Gus Bilirakis team up on anti-Iranian legislation

Larry Sabato ‘Crystal Ball’ moves Charlie Crist seat to ‘likely Democratic’

Voting restoration amendment has 900,000 signatures

Nat’l Republicans take another whack at Charlie Crist over tax reform bill

Personnel note: Chris Hart IV to head Court Clerks group

Nat’l Republicans blasting Charlie Crist’s vote against CHIP re-authorization