Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 18, 2016

One of the most unexpected moments of Monday night’s Senate debate between Marco Rubio and Patrick Murphy was when Rubio said Murphy posted a photo on Facebook four years ago showing him groping a woman. “That’s inappropriate behavior!” he charged at Murphy, who appeared startled by the reference. On Tuesday, Murphy dismissed the allegation. “When Donald Trump goes low, Marco Rubio goes […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 29, 2016

An official with Uber said Thursday the San Francisco-based ridesharing company has come to an agreement regarding background checks and other new rules proposed by outgoing Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chair Victor Crist to have them finally operate legally in the county. Whether they will be approved by the rest of the PTC remains uncertain […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2016

The Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission Wednesday voted 5-2 on proposed new rules that still include requiring Level II background checks for Uber and Lyft drivers — a mandate representatives from those companies have said would compel them to leave the market. Though theoretically the new rules would allow new ridesharing companies to enter the market, the proprietor […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

David Singer, the South Tampa-based land use attorney now running as a Democrat in the Florida House District 60 race, has received a nice boost to his campaign by getting the endorsement of all seven members of the Tampa City Council. Singer is running against Republican Jackie Toledo in the race on Nov. 8. Toledo, a professional […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 2, 2016

They did it last night. After nearly four hours of discussion, the Tampa City Council voted 4-2 to support the biggest infusion of taxpayer dollars ever to attempt to improve the city’s stormwater infrastructure, which for decades has been a major problem in the city. Mike Suarez, Lisa Montelione, Harry Cohen and swing vote Guido Maniscalco opted to support Mayor Bob Buckhorn‘s proposal, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 31, 2016

The Republican race for House District 60 was a nail-biter Tuesday night, with civil engineer Jackie Toledo getting just 246 more votes (out of 12,528 cast) than businesswoman Rebecca Smith, giving her a less than two-percentage-point victory. Smith was the clear GOP establishment favorite in the race, but obviously, not among the electorate. Toledo raised […]

Mitch PerryAugust 29, 2016

Patrick Murphy says if he is elected to the U.S. Senate in November, he’ll push to provide a public option to the Affordable Care Act. “At least in rural areas, where you don’t have much competition,” the Jupiter representative and Senate Democratic hopeful said on while making a campaign stop on Monday morning in West […]

Joe HendersonAugust 24, 2016

Jackie Toledo has made the repeal of some immigration reforms a centerpiece of her campaign against Rebecca Smith for the House District 60 seat in next week’s Republican primary. In a recent mailer to voters, she vowed to seek the repeal of a Republican-passed law that grant in-state college tuition to what she called “illegal […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2016

Our latest form of participatory democracy takes place in Tampa tonight, where scores of people will comment on whether or not the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization should include the Tampa Bay Express project in what is known as their Transportation Improvement Plan. If past is prologue, the majority of speakers will be against the project, and the MPO […]

Mitch PerryJune 14, 2016

The dominant word at a vigil held in Ybor City on Monday night to honor the victims of the shooting massacre in Orlando was “love.” A crowd of at least 2,000 people gathered for two hours in a parking lot on the north side of 7th Avenue between 14th and 15th streets to hear locally elected […]

Tag: Guido Maniscalco
Matt Gaetz. Image via AP.

Patrick Murphy says Marco Rubio goes low in bringing up photo with former girlfriend

Uber agrees to proposed new rules — but will Hillsborough’s PTC follow suit?

Hillsborough PTC approves new rules — Future uncertain for Uber and Lyft

Entire Tampa City Council comes out in support of David Singer in House District 60 race

Mitch Perry Report for 9.2.16 — Tampa City Council approves $251 million to improve stormwater system

David Singer compares Jackie Toledo to Donald Trump as the HD 60 general election race begins

Patrick Murphy says he’ll push for public option to be added to ACA if elected to the Senate

Joe Henderson: Jackie Toledo would be better off talking kitchen counter issues than immigration

Mitch Perry Report for 6.22.16 — TBX showdown tonight

Thousands crowd into Ybor City to remember the Orlando victims