Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayDecember 1, 2015

The House Appropriations Committee heard from Gov. Rick Scott‘s chief budget aide Tuesday afternoon, who presented Scott’s $79.3 billion proposed budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year before being peppered with questions on taxes, state worker pay, hospital regulation and land acquisition among other issues. Cynthia Kelly, director of Scott’s Office of Policy and Budget presented the governor’s “Florida […]

Jim RosicaNovember 20, 2015

Legislation is moving in the Legislature that would allow people to buy their lottery tickets at the gas pump despite a lingering question that the measure is an expansion of gambling. The question is more than moral or academic: Expanded gambling is a condition for the Seminole Tribe of Florida to stop sharing revenue from its […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 30, 2015

2015 was supposed to be the year that the Florida Legislature authorized funding to replenish its depleted film tax incentives package, allowing the Sunshine State to compete with Louisiana, Georgia and other Southeastern states in getting its fair share of movie and television production work. It didn’t happen. Despite the reshaping of the incentives and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 29, 2015

Reaction was fierce and accusatory in the immediate wake of the revelations of a Tampa Bay Times story published last month that traced the Pinellas County School Board’s role in resegregating five elementary schools and having them turn into some of the worst performing ones in Florida. St. Petersburg based House Democrat Darryl Rouson called on the […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 28, 2015

Democratic state Rep. Dwight Dudley and Congressional District 13 candidate Eric Lynn said Monday they’ll live on minimum wages for the duration of this week to show their support for workers striving to get the minimum wage raised to $15 an hour. They talked about their plan at a press conference outside of a McDonald’s […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 28, 2015

Happy Monday/General Assembly Day at the UN, everyone. Lots of things happened over the weekend, but let’s transition into the work week by applauding the University of Florida Gators for their miraculous comeback victory over Tennessee, 28-27, early Saturday night in Gainesville. The victory puts UF in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 25, 2015

St. Petersburg House Democrat Darryl Rouson has filed legislation (HB 243) that would ban the display of Confederate flags and symbols on publicly owned or leased property. It will serve as a companion to Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson’s bill in the state Senate. “I can understand people wanting to honor the legacy of their Southern History, but when history and symbolism to […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

When the Florida Legislature begins redrawing up all 40 state Senate districts in their next scheduled special session (October 26-November 6), the Senate District 22 seat is expected to change dramatically and become much more Democratic Party friendly. If that scenario plays out, current GOP incumbent Jeff Brandes is expected to bail out of that […]

Ryan RayAugust 10, 2015

It’s more than a year out from 2016 legislative elections, normally a quiet time when warring factions retreat to their camps and use the odd-numbered year to strategize and keep their powder dry. But with recent drama surrounding the race for the 2021-22 speakership, state party infighting involving sitting House Rep./RPOF Chairman Blaise Ingoglia and an imminent […]

Drew WilsonJune 21, 2015

As of June, none of the 12 Florida Senators running for reelection is facing much of a challenge — Democratic Sen. Jeff Clemens is the only incumbent to draw an opponent so far, but it won’t derail him from another term. District 29 looks set as well, with Democratic Rep. Jim Waldman having a clear path to take over for outgoing Sen. Jeremy […]

Tag: Darryl Rouson
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

House budget panel hears from Rick Scott’s budget chief, and vice versa

Is it “expanding gambling” to sell lottery tickets at gas pumps?

Mitch Perry Report for 9.30.15 – Ybor and Florida lose out to Georgia in Hollywood production

Darryl Rouson challenged by School Board chair on South St. Pete school crisis

In St. Petersburg, Dwight Dudley, Eric Lynn vow to live on minimum wage for a week

Mitch Perry Report for 9.28.15 – USF’s wandering eye

Darryl Rouson files legislation to ban Confederate flag on public property in Florida

Dwight Dudley leading Darryl Rouson in potential Democratic SD 22 primary contest

2016 House field continues to shape up in central Florida, Tallahassee

Keep your eyes on these 8 state Senate campaigns