Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 3, 2015

Although same-sex marriage became legal in Florida in January, Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued to defend the state’s 2008 constitutional ban, saying it’s her job to defend the Florida Constitution, “whether or not I agree with it.” Supporters of Florida’s same-sex marriage ban remain hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will support the state’s […]

Mitch PerryMay 27, 2015

The consensus amongst political pundits in Florida is that state Republicans won’t be hurt by the budget impasse that led the Legislature to break three days early last month. Those observers, though, acknowledge it could make a difference on the margins, in those few swing legislative districts across the state. One is House District 63, occupied […]

Mitch PerryMay 8, 2015

Ever since Ed Homan was termed-out of his House District 60 seat in North Tampa in 2010, it’s bounced back and forth in terms of political affiliation over the three subsequent elections. Republican Shawn Harrison won in the big Republican years of 2010 and 2014, and Democrat Mark Danish took it in 2012, the same year […]

Melissa RossMay 4, 2015

As early voting gets under way in Duval County, the Orlando-based Florida Family Action PAC has sent out a voter guide advising socially conservative residents as they to go the polls to choose a new Jacksonville City Council. “These City Council candidates OPPOSE granting special rights based on ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ and SUPPORT […]

Mitch PerryApril 24, 2015

Running for president means sometimes having to alter your brand, and sometimes your integrity. Case in point: Rand Paul. Nobody has been more prominent in U.S. politics being critical of drone strikes, particularly against American citizens, such as Anwar al-Awlaki, an Al Qaeda operative killed by a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. In […]

Mitch PerryApril 23, 2015

Attempting to build up positive momentum in the lead-up to next week’s U.S. Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriage, a new group has been formed to show the growing bipartisan backing for gay marriage in the Sunshine State. It’s called, Florida Republicans for the Freedom to Marry, a joint effort between Equality Florida and Freedom […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

The Florida House on Thursday passed a measure that would let private agencies who cite religious or moral grounds to turn away gay couples seeking to adopt children. By a 75-38 vote, HB 7111, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, was passed. Brodeur proposed the legislation only after the House voted last month to repeal the […]

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

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The Florida House Judiciary Committee today passed a controversial “conscience protection” bill (HB 7111) that would allow private adoption agencies to refuse child placements with gay couples. Conscience protection legislation grants a person or an entity the ability to refuse to perform an otherwise required duty, because the individual or entity violates their religious or […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 25, 2015

Intolerance and bigotry is expensive business in Florida. That’s according to a report released Wednesday by a coalition of major employers in the state called Equality Means Business. The report found that discrimination against the LGBT community costs employers more than $362 million a year. The losses are linked to employee turnover and loss of productivity. “We’ve […]

Mitch PerryMarch 17, 2015

According to Miami state House Republican Frank Artiles, the only reason he has introduced his legislation that would stop transgender people from using public restrooms aligned with their gender identity is because Miami-Dade County Commissioners wouldn’t change their own ordinance. “I am here because the Miami Dade ordinance is overbroad and subjective,” he told lawmakers […]

Tag: Equality Florida

Equality Florida launches new TV ad prior to high court ruling on same-sex marriage

Mike Reedy says Shawn Harrison showed no leadership in 2015 Legislative Session

Mike Reedy aims to put HD 63 back in Democratic column

Florida Family Action PAC urges Jax voters to support anti-HRO candidates

Mitch Perry Report for 4.24.15 — The politics of convenience

GOP “Freedom to Marry” group forms for SCOTUS same-sex hearing

Florida House approves law to allow private agencies to turn away gay couples from adopting

House committee passes bill to allow private adoption agencies to deny gay adoption

Study finds LGBT discrimination costs Florida businesses big

Frank Artiles admits his "bathroom bill" is still a work in progress as it advances in Florida House