Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 14, 2015

Associated Industries of Florida, considered a powerhouse lobbyist group for the business establishment in Tallahassee, has produced their annual scorecard on how often state lawmakers have maintained the AFI line, and the discrepancy isn’t that large between Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate, at least. AIF’s 2015 Voting Records contains each of the state’s 120 legislators voting […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Among the many local projects that didn’t escape Rick Scott’s veto pen last week was $2 million earmarked for the Tampa Innovation Alliance, the nascent public-private agency charged with redeveloping the University area of North Tampa. But Mark Sharpe, the agency’s Executive Director, insists that it’s not a big deal. He says the organization never envisioned receiving […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Welcome to Tuesday, June 30 — also known as the last day you’ll be receiving annoying fundraising emails for … at least a few more days. Yes, it’s the end of the fiscal second quarter, and candidates are flooding email boxes of those even marginally involved in politics to an all-time annoying level. Meanwhile, Chris […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Beginning on Wednesday, craft beer enthusiasts will finally be able to purchase 64-ounce growlers at the establishment of their choice in Florida. It’s a big moment for the burgeoning craft beer industry in Florida and its allies in Tallahassee, who had seen their efforts to repeal the unique ban in recent years thwarted by the “Big […]

Mitch PerryJune 17, 2015

Jeb Bush has been traveling the nation making campaign and fundraising stops since the beginning of the year, all under the guise of “exploring” the possibility of running for president. That distinction that has allowed him to raise unlimited amounts of cash for his political action committee called Right to Rise. According to a new […]

Ryan RayMay 29, 2015

On Friday afternoon, Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeal issued a sweeping 50-page ruling overturning a decision by Attorney General Pam Bondi that stood between Creek Entertainment and new slot machines licenses for their parimutuel facility in Gretna, approved by Gadsden County voters in a 2012 referendum. The ruling repudiated the basis of the state’s opposition to […]

Mitch PerryMay 20, 2015

As state lawmakers prepare to complete their unfinished business in a Special Session next month, among the Legislature’s most important members said Wednesday he’s not exactly sure what to expect. The 120-member Legislature returns to Tallahassee in 12 days to hammer out a budget agreement. “We really don’t know how this is going to play […]

Mitch PerryMay 16, 2015

Although craft beer enthusiasts are happy to be able to finally live in a state that can now offer them 64-ounce growlers, the legislation was always about more than the selling of a half-gallon sized jug. One could say the half-gallon growler had become the political pawn in what had led to a fierce battle […]

Phil AmmannMay 12, 2015

Voting in Florida state races is now just under 18 months away, with a June special session and the 2016 Regular Session thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, political campaigns statewide are starting to gear up, as the campaign cash begins to flow in earnest. Here’s where things stand through April 30 in fundraising races […]

Mitch PerryMay 11, 2015

For years, attempts to revive the historic Fort Homer Westerly Armory in West Tampa became a fruitless endeavor. That changed two years ago, when the Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation realized the 100,000-square-foot space on North Howard Avenue just south of I-275 could fulfill its need to have a presence farther south in Tampa than its […]

Tag: Dana Young

Florida Democratic state Senators score high in AIF’s 2015 voting scorecard

Despite Rick Scott rejection, Mark Sharpe says Tampa Innovation Alliance is right on course

Mitch Perry Report for 6.30.15 — Chris Christie aims to “tell it like it is,” but does anyone care?

Dana Young and Chris Sprowls to go on “Growler Freedom Tour” on Wednesday

GOP state lawmakers give generously to Jeb Bush’s super PAC

1st DCA rules in favor of Gretna slots, Gadsden voters, against Pam Bondi

Tom Lee on Tallahassee budget impasse: “We don’t know how this is going to play out”

Compromises led to passage this year of growler bill

Where fundraising races stand in Tampa Bay area 2016 contests

Bryan Glazer gives $4 million for new Jewish center in West Tampa