Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller said Friday he thinks the Tampa Police Department’s policies on bicycle infractions, which disproportionately singled out blacks in the city, is wrong and should be discontinued until the Justice Department concludes its review of the policy. However, he doesn’t think it should hold up the confirmation of newly appointed police Chief […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

What was supposed to be the last day of the regular legislative session in Tallahassee is turning into a very bad one for Rep. Matt Gaetz. The House Republican from Fort Walton Beach set off a firestorm Thursday afternoon by tweeting a comment about Senate Democrats’ petition filed to the Florida Supreme Court that challenges the state […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

The suspense is over for Mike Huckabee fans. The former Arkansas Governor is poised to officially announce his candidacy for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination on Tuesday from a place called Hope, and he released a YouTube video this morning that will be played Tuesday leading up to his speech. Huckabee ran for the Republican […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

If you were growing weary of reading Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota every day in your local sports pages for the past four months, Buc fans, congrats. Now you’ll just be reading about Winston every day up until football season begins. Let’s just hope for all concerned it’s only in the sports pages. Thursday night […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes is home from Tallahassee with the list of accomplishments this session. Of bills he proposed, at least nine are on their way to the governor for a signature. One of the bills Brandes is most excited to see make its way to Rick Scott’s desk is the Local Government Pension Reform bill. Senate Bill 242 is […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

A half-hour after Eric Ward was named the new Tampa police chief on Thursday, two city council members joined a coalition of activist groups who again called on the Tampa Police Department to temporarily stop their current bike citation policy. Council Chairman Frank Reddick and District 7 Councilwoman Lisa Montelione joined members of the ACLU, […]

Phil AmmannApril 30, 2015

Despite the Legislature failing this year to advance statewide discrimination protections for employment, housing, and public accommodations, equality for Florida’s workforce is more popular than ever. With the early dismissal of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act did not advance during the recently ended 2015 Florida Legislative Session. However, the number […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

Newly tapped Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said Thursday during his introduction to the city that black bicyclists have “absolutely not” been unfairly targeted by the department that he’ll take over next week. Activists have said they want a time-out on the bike citations, but when asked by a reporter about the issue Ward didn’t […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

When he began running countywide as the Democratic challenger to Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair in 2007, Kevin Beckner started out very early. He had to. Very few people in the political community knew him during his debut run for office. Hillsborough County is a huge area to campaign in, plus he was an openly gay […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

Two nights after Baltimore burned in anger at the death of Freddie Gray, the young black man who died in police custody there, mass demonstrations were held in cities like Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Denver; New York City; and Minneapolis on Wednesday night. No such protests occurred in the Tampa Bay area, but Baltimore was very […]

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Hurricane Milton satellite imagery as of 5 a.m. Oct. 7, via NOAA via AP.

Les Miller: Suspend TPD bike policy but confirm new chief

Mike Hill latest Republican to condemn Matt Gaetz tweet

Mike Huckabee releases video days before entering GOP presidential contest

Mitch Perry Report for 5.1.15 — On the so-called Fight of the Century

Jeff Brandes leaves Tallahassee with impressive bill record

2 Tampa City Council members say bike policy will guide votes on new police chief

Despite stalling this year, hopes remain for Florida Competitive Workforce Act in 2016

New Tampa police chief says he’ll keep bike citation policy

Kevin Beckner starts fundraising early for clerk of courts post

Tampa town hall meeting on race reveals raw emotions