Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

e’s lot of stories in the news this week about the Republican Party and social issues. Both Mike Pence in Indiana (considered a 2016 presidential possibility) and Asa Hutchison in Arkansas have asked for tweaks in their Religious Freedom Restoration Act bills, after the firestorm it’s created nationally, particularly amongst business groups. Another issue that […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

Speaking to talk-show host Bill Bunkley on Tuesday, Ocala House Republican Dennis Baxley stood by his decision to reverse his vote on the gay adoption issue. He initially voted for HB 7013, which would provide incentives to state workers who adopt children from foster care — while also repealing part of state law that in […]

Mitch PerryApril 1, 2015

Speaking to talk-show host Bill Bunkley on Tuesday, Ocala House Republican Dennis Baxley stood by his decision to reverse his vote on the gay adoption issue. He initially voted for HB 7013, which would provide incentives to state workers who adopt children from foster care — while also repealing part of state law that in […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

Last week, the Florida house struck down the state’s 38-year ban on same-sex adoptions. The Christian Right in Tallahassee has vowed ever since to make sure that such a bill never makes it to Rick Scott‘s desk. On Thursday the House Health & Human Services Committee passed a proposed bill, PCB HHSC 15-03, that would allow allow […]

Mitch PerryMarch 18, 2015

Debbie Wasserman Schultz will not be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate next year, but lets hope that doesn’t “pave the way” for fellow South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy to become the groomed nominee in 2016. As a Tampa Bay area-based political reporter, I have to admit knowing very little about […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

The Marion County Republican Executive Committee on Monday night approved a resolution criticizing House Republicans Dennis Baxley, Charlie Stone, and Marlene O’Toole for their votes last week in support of an amendment that would repeal the 38-year ban on same-sex couple adoption in Florida. Committee members said the three representatives’ support of the measure was […]

Mitch PerryMarch 16, 2015

In St. Petersburg today — St. Petersburg, Russia, that is — Vladimir Putin reappeared in public for the first time in 11 days, ending the rumors of a Kremlin coup or even his own death. This isn’t the first time that the Russian leader had dropped out of society for awhile, and the sh*t really […]

Mitch PerryMarch 15, 2015

Although the vote by the Florida House of Representatives last week to repeal Florida’s 38-year ban on gay adoption was hardly overwhelming, there was little open dissent on the House floor, with only a handful of lawmakers even discussing the legislation before voting on it. Among those who did so movingly was Ocala Republican Dennis […]

Phil AmmannMarch 11, 2015

Three-term Marion County Commissioner Stan McClain raised $31,900 in February for his bid for House District 23. McClain’s campaign calls the latest fundraising numbers a show of strong, early support in the race to replace incumbent Rep. Dennis Baxley in 2016, who is mounting his own run for the state Senate. “We are very encouraged by the support […]

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 […]

Tag: Dennis Baxley

Mitch Perry Report for 4.2.15 — Florida Republicans and immigration

Dennis Baxley on gay adoption reversal: “I simply can’t affirm homosexuality”

Dennis Baxley on gay adoption reversal: "I simply can't affirm homosexuality"

John Stemberger weighs in on gay adoption law

Mitch Perry Report for 3.18.15 — No DWS, no problem, right Dems?

Local GOP condemns Dennis Baxley, 2 others for gay adoption votes

Mitch Perry Report for 3.16.15 — Vladimir Putin is still alive

Conservative House Republican Dennis Baxley reverses his vote for gay adoption

Stan McClain posts strong early fundraising for House District 23 race

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