Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 29, 2015

A Tampa lawmaker has filed a bill that would shield the identities of “witness(es) to a felony” from being released to the public. State Rep. Ed Narain, a first-term Democrat, submitted his bill (HB 475) on Thursday. The legislation creates an exemption from Florida public records law of witnesses’ “personal identifying information,” prohibiting its disclosure, including to […]

Jim RosicaOctober 15, 2015

Two Tampa Bay-area lawmakers have filed legislation in both chambers to boost the state’s research and development, or R&D, tax credit. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, and state Rep. Ed Narain, a Tampa Democrat, filed the identical bills (SB 508/HB 311) earlier this week. The bill is a priority of the Florida Chamber of […]

Ryan RayOctober 12, 2015

An across-the-aisle pair of Tampa Bay area lawmakers are seeking to increase the level of taxpayer help Florida businesses can receive for research and development. Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes from St. Petersburg on Monday filed SB 508, a Senate companion bill to legislation that would bump up the level of R&D tax credits a business can receive […]

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 14, 2015

Earlier this year, a national organization rated the Tampa Bay area as 11th in the nation for traffic congestion. Obviously, the region has problems with traffic, which is perhaps why St. Petersburg state Senator Jeff Brandes called it a “game-changer” today in describing what could be a $17 million contract that the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) was awarded by […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 3, 2015

There’s excitement in some quarters this week as it now appears that Carly Fiorina will appear in the second Republican Presidential debate taking place in 13 days in Los Angeles (Okay, Simi Valley, officially). Meanwhile, we’re still more than five weeks away before the first Democratic Presidential debate. And why is that? While some may say […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 2, 2015

The nationwide campaign to raise fast-food workers’ wages to $15 an hour has incorporated child-care workers into the effort. The campaign is being led nationally and in Florida by the Service Employees International Union. “We have to share the story to create a groundwell,” said Monica Russo, president of SEIU Florida State Council, and executive […]

Phil AmmannJune 23, 2015

More than a few high-profile Tampa Bay Democrats will be joining Gwen Graham for a major fundraiser next week to help her re-election effort in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. The $250-per-person reception will be Tuesday, June 30, beginning 5:30 p.m. at the home of former Democratic state Sen. Pat Frank, who now serves as Hillsborough […]

Mitch PerryJune 17, 2015

I’m a bit bleary eyed today, having stayed up until the wee hours this morning to listen to members of the Golden State Warriors discussing this special moment in their lives, after they won their first National Basketball Association championship in 40 years against the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. And yes, I am ecstatic about […]

Mitch PerryJune 16, 2015

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Gov.Rick Scott has signed HB 201, a bill sponsored by Tampa Democratic Rep. Ed Narain that extends education to law enforcement officers and improve response to those having a diabetic emergency. Also known as the Arthur Green Jr. Act, the law is named after the late Arthur Green Jr., a longtime Tampa resident and community activist. He […]

Tag: Ed Narain
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Bill would protect names of criminal witnesses

Lawmakers move to increase R & D tax credit

Bipartisan bill would boost maximum state R&D funding for Florida biz

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

Tampa Expressway Authority awarded first phase of funding for connected vehicle pilot program

Mitch Perry Report for 9.3.15 – The DNC’s nondebate strategy

SEIU Fight for $15 embraces child-care workers, wins support of Ed Narain, other local officials

Democratic power roster to help re-elect Gwen Graham with June 30 Tampa fundraiser

Mitch Perry Report for 6.17.15 – When basketball evolves into “The Beautiful Game”

Rick Scott signs bill for law officers to improve diabetic emergency response