Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Jeb Bush may be struggling in the polls, but there was nothing but unadulterated love for him shown Thursday afternoon in Tampa, where a bevy of local and state Republicans – highlighted by an appearance by Jeb Bush Jr. – gathered to officially open the former Florida governor’s statewide headquarters. Located in the Town ‘n’ […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

Republican state Rep. Ray Pilon has found an unlikely ally in his 2016 House re-election campaign in Sarasota-based District 72: leading Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Schale appears on the host committee for an upcoming fundraiser for the third-term Republican lawmaker, according to an invitation obtained by FloridaPolitics.com. Schale cited Pilon’s stance this year in a major battle over Medicaid […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2015

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The Florida Legislature’s failure last week to come to an agreement on redrawing the state’s congressional maps was just the latest example of state Republicans unable to come together. A battle over Medicaid expansion roiled the Legislature for most of its Regular Session this spring. Nearly everyone in the state Senate supported proposals that would have […]

Ryan RayAugust 3, 2015

The Florida arm of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity has issued its annual legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislators based on their propensity to vote “pro-economic freedom.” The group graded all 160 state lawmakers based on their votes on economic issues. Votes considered in favor of deregulation were rewarded, whereas votes that reined in industry […]

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 […]

Tag: Dana Young

Bay area Republicans gather to open Jeb Bush’s statewide HQ in Tampa

Democratic strategist Steve Schale reaches across the aisle to support Ray Pilon’s re-election

AFP airs ads thanking GOP lawmakers for refusing to expand health care in Florida

Americans for Prosperity picks annual “Champions of Economic Freedom” of 2015 Session

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