Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 22, 2015

Florida Medical Cannabis Association lobbyist Louis Rotundo nailed it this past month when he said, “We’re about to smoke them out.” Rotundo commented after the Department of Health released a proposed Charlotte’s Web rule, a product of a negotiated rule-making session with stakeholders in a medicinal marijuana industry. “I think the Department did as good […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

This week in Florida Politics we shall seek clarity. By week’s end we will know about the House and Senate’s competing budget proposals, how Sen. Rob Bradley intends to solve the Charlotte’s Web mystery, and whether service in the Confederate Army is Hall of Fame material. The highlight of a busy week comes Wednesday when both the Senate Appropriations and […]

James CallMarch 22, 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. My boss is 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 […]

James CallMarch 22, 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. My boss is 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 […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2015

Although Charlie Miranda hasn’t endorsed anyone for next Tuesday’s Tampa City Council District 6 election, he received one Saturday from Jackie Toledo, who’s running against Guido Maniscalco. “Chairman Miranda has done a great job as our council’s chairman and there is no reason to take the gavel away. If elected to the city council, I […]

James CallMarch 20, 2015

This week in Florida politics, gulfs widened: The separation between the House and Senate, environmentalists and lawmakers, and relevancy and the Democratic Party grew wider and deeper. The Senate moved $5 billion further away from the House over a state budget for next year. The Senate has a plan to fill the hole created by […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

There were a lot of laughs when veteran local investigative TV reporter Mike Deeson took to the dais at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club meeting at Jackson Bistro on Harbor Island on Friday, but also a few bits of news. On former and probable future House District 64 Republican Jamie Grant, Deeson said that though […]

James CallMarch 20, 2015

Sen. Rob Bradley is preparing to free the Charlotte’s Web law from a bureaucratic swamp of lawsuits, hearings and workshops. He filed a shell bill, which his Regulated Industries Committee will take up Tuesday. SB 7066 states: “The Legislature intends to revise laws relating to low-THC cannabis. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.” The bill’s language […]

James CallMarch 20, 2015

Sen. Rob Bradley is preparing to free the Charlotte’s Web law from a bureaucratic swamp of lawsuits, hearings and workshops. He filed a shell bill, which his Regulated Industries Committee will take up Tuesday. SB 7066 states: “The Legislature intends to revise laws relating to low-THC cannabis. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.” The bill’s language […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

It’s the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, the time when some writers wax absurd about “brackets” and “the insanity of March Madness.” And yes, there were a couple of thrilling upsets and buzzard-beaters Thursday to begin the first full day of the 68-team championship. As a basketball aficionado, however, I’ve been calling […]

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Florida Politics' Drew Wilson a few pounds heavier and with a bit more hair next to Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell ... (guess who we're rooting for?).

Charlotte’s Web glitch bill to fly Monday, bypass rules to get pot going

The week ahead in the Legislature

Charlie Crist, Allison Tant are workers' only hope

Charlie Crist, Allison Tant are workers’ only hope

Jackie Toledo vows support for Charlie Miranda to stay council chair

The week that was in Florida politics — March 20

Mike Deeson raw at Tiger Bay

Charlotte's Web's unsolved mystery to be investigated Tuesday

Charlotte’s Web’s unsolved mystery to be investigated Tuesday

Mitch Perry Report for 3.20.15 — March sadness