Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

James CallMarch 24, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz proclaimed in February that “no tax is safe” and Tuesday he released a $690 million tax-cutting plan that moves the House budget plan further away from the Senate’s version. Gaetz wants to enact two tax cuts, create four tax credits, implement 10 sales tax exemptions and schedule a back-to-school tax holiday. The Senate will […]

Guest AuthorMarch 23, 2015

My publisher thinks Charlie Crist’s announcement that he will not be a candidate in 2016 signals the end of the Crist era. I hope he’s wrong. He’s a political insider. I’m an unemployed steelworker who hangs around the Capitol like others do a tavern, pool hall or barbershop. My sense is that the Crist brand represents something more […]

Mitch PerryMarch 11, 2015

The conservative-leaning Florida House Wednesday OK’d an amendment to a bill to remove a ban on gay adoption from state law. The final vote was 68-50. The amendment is part of a larger bill that creates incentives for Floridians to adopt children in state care. The vote came despite a last hour pitch against it […]

Adam WeinsteinFebruary 27, 2015

For once, Florida legislators can vote for a gun bill that isn’t totally crazy. But most of them probably won’t. The state has been an embarrassingly irresponsible free-fire zone for years, having led all comers in licensing unqualified gun-toters, giving them leave to shoot fellow citizens with no accountability, and letting them rain hot lead […]

Adam WeinsteinFebruary 26, 2015

For once, Florida legislators can vote for a gun bill that isn’t totally crazy. But most of them probably won’t. The state has been an embarrassingly irresponsible free-fire zone for years, having led all comers in licensing unqualified gun-toters, giving them leave to shoot fellow citizens with no accountability and letting them rain hot lead […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner set to term out in 2016, two Tampa Bay area Democrats are now gearing up for what should be an intriguing Democratic primary to succeed her, according to the Florida Division of Elections. St. Petersburg Rep. Darryl Rouson and former Tampa Rep. Betty Reed both opened campaign accounts for the stalwart Joyner’s […]

Ryan RayFebruary 3, 2015

With Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner set to term out in 2016, two Tampa Bay area Democrats are now gearing up for what should be an intriguing Democratic primary to succeed her, according to the Florida Division of Elections. St. Petersburg Rep. Darryl Rouson and former Tampa Rep. Betty Reed both opened campaign accounts for the stalwart Joyner’s […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

For the first time in four years, non-charter public schools in Florida received a relatively substantial amount of funding from the Florida Legislature this year towards the maintenance of school buildings. In 2011 & 2012, all of the monies allocated by Tallahassee allocated to the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) trust fund went to charter […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

For the first time in four years, non-charter public schools in Florida received a relatively substantial amount of funding from the Florida Legislature this year towards the maintenance of school buildings. In 2011 & 2012, all of the monies allocated by Tallahassee allocated to the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) trust fund went to charter […]

Tag: Darryl Rouson
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Where fundraising races stand in Tampa Bay area 2016 contests

The day that was in Florida politics — March 24

James Call: Charlie Crist's era of 'the people' needs to continue

House OK on gay adoption has Christian right putting faith in Senate

Adam Weinstein: A gun bill so sane Florida lawmakers never will pass it

Adam Weinstein: A gun bill so sane Florida lawmakers never will pass it

Darryl Rouson, Betty Reed file for term-limited Arthenia Joyner’s Senate seat

Darryl Rouson, Betty Reed file for term-limited Arthenia Joyner's Senate seat

MaryEllen Elia & Judy Genshaft discuss priorities at Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting

MaryEllen Elia & Judy Genshaft discuss priorities at Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting