Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

On Wednesday, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren blasted the $1.1 trillion spending package in the House put together by Republicans and Democrats that would keep most government agencies operating through next summer. Warren’s ire was with two parts of the bill that were added on to it in the past week: provisions that would sharply increase the influence of […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

A rumored floor challenge to the lone candidate for the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee failed to materialize Thursday night, allowing Elizabeth Belcher to win the position without opposition. Belcher has been involved with the DEC since 2008. She became more involved with local politics retiring from a 27-year career as a special agent with […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

Earlier this week Mitch Rubin, the executive director of the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association (FBWA), announced that while “for several years,” his organization has supported lifting the restriction on 64-ounce growlers, the FBWA’s support in next year’s legislative session won’t be tied into his greater concerns of direct brewer to consumer sales. Tampa House Republican […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

For the first time in four years, non-charter public schools in Florida received a relatively substantial amount of funding from the Florida Legislature this year towards the maintenance of school buildings. In 2011 & 2012, all of the monies allocated by Tallahassee allocated to the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) trust fund went to charter […]

Mitch PerryDecember 12, 2014

For the first time in four years, non-charter public schools in Florida received a relatively substantial amount of funding from the Florida Legislature this year towards the maintenance of school buildings. In 2011 & 2012, all of the monies allocated by Tallahassee allocated to the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) trust fund went to charter […]

Guest AuthorDecember 11, 2014

Florida’s unemployment rate is at 6 percent. It is hard to imagine a more deliberate focus on job creation than the state witnessed in the past four years. But what happens when we broaden the goal of economic development beyond job creation? In fairness, there is an obligation to demonstrate first why job creation is […]

Associated PressDecember 11, 2014

A former aide sued Hastings in 2011, claiming he touched her, made unwanted sexual advances and threatened her job when she refused him. Hastings has called the allegations “ludicrous.” The former aide, Winsome Packer, worked as a staffer for the Helsinki Commission, which advises on U.S. policy about security, human rights and other issues involving […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2014

Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner announced that he raised $76,500 prior to November 30, outperforming his four opponents 215-to-1 in the race for House District 24. Renner, who lost an August GOP primary by only two votes in House District 15, took in a combined $76,500 through Nov. 30. His fundraising overshadowed the $315 raised by all the others […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2014

As the political dominoes fall in Northeast Florida, the campaign cash begins piling up. St. Augustine Republican Sen. John Thrasher left the Legislature in November to become Florida State University president, leading to not one, but three special elections set for early 2015. Almost immediately, donors in both Tallahassee and Northwest Florida started writing checks, […]

Phil AmmannDecember 11, 2014

A new report places Florida as the 32nd healthiest state in the nation. The report released Wednesday by UnitedHealth Foundation says that in the past year the percentage of Floridians who smoke decreased slightly, from 17.7 percent to 16.8 percent. The percentage of adults who binge drink also dropped, from 16.5 percent to 15.5 percent. […]

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Donald Trump. Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 12.12.14 – House Dems side with Warren over Obama in budget vote

Elizabeth Belcher selected as Hillsborough County Democratic Party chair

Dana Young takes Mitch Rubin at his word on 64-ounce growlers

MaryEllen Elia & Judy Genshaft discuss priorities at Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting

MaryEllen Elia & Judy Genshaft discuss priorities at Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting

Dale Brill: Florida economy on a roll that isn’t sustainable

Ethics panel raps 2 lawmakers, clears 2 others

Paul Renner outraises all HD 24 opponents 215-to-1

As dominoes fall in NE Florida politics, campaign cash starts moving

Florida is 32nd healthiest state in the nation