Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Among the many local projects that didn’t escape Rick Scott’s veto pen last week was $2 million earmarked for the Tampa Innovation Alliance, the nascent public-private agency charged with redeveloping the University area of North Tampa. But Mark Sharpe, the agency’s Executive Director, insists that it’s not a big deal. He says the organization never envisioned receiving […]

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2015

Going back to a December 2013 meeting among the Hillsborough County state legislative delegation, Arthenia Joyner has always fought any moves to weaken the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission’s ability to regulate share-riding companies like Uber and Lyft. So it was no surprise on Tuesday when she again had the local agency’s back (as well as […]

Ryan RayJune 3, 2015

The intense intra-cameral friction that defined the 2015 Legislative Session seems not to have dissipated after a few weeks off but rather compounded, culminating in the most antagonistic legislative hearing of the year at Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee. There, budget chief Tom Lee led a chorus of indignant senators who excoriated AHCA deputy director Justin […]

Phil AmmannMay 12, 2015

Voting in Florida state races is now just under 18 months away, with a June special session and the 2016 Regular Session thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, political campaigns statewide are starting to gear up, as the campaign cash begins to flow in earnest. Here’s where things stand through April 30 in fundraising races […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

In Nepal, they’re still digging through the rubble after the devastating weekend earthquake that has taken at least 10,000 lives. In Baltimore, the cleanup continues after Monday’s night of rage. Meanwhile, that city waits for a report on what actually happened to Freddie Gray, due later this week. And in Tallahassee, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

Early voting starts Saturday in the Florida House District 64 seat formerly held by Republican Jamie Grant that, after the election takes place on April 21, will once again be controlled by, yes, Jamie Grant. The early voting will continue throughout next week in the district, which encompasses northwest Hillsborough and eastern Pinellas counties. It’s […]

Ryan RayApril 7, 2015

As she portrayed her SB 840 as a mostly technical bill that simply clears up a legal conflict currently circulating in the courts, Sen. Eleanor Sobel probably was not prepared for the maelstrom of criticism from both parties that befell her effort. Following an easy and perfunctory confirmation process for a score of various agency officials — a process that […]

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 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 17, 2015

A bill that removes the requirement that write-in candidates live within the district of the seat they’re seeking has passed its first committee stop. Members of the House Government Operations Subcommittee passed HB 4043 Tuesday morning with no discussion. The bill’s sponsor, North Bay Village Democrat Joseph Geller, told committee members the bill was needed to repeal […]

Ryan RayMarch 10, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz successfully steered legislation to formally legalize “transportation network services” like Uber through the House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee on Tuesday. Debate on the bill – heated at times – lasted about an hour and featured an unusual aspect identified by committee Chairman Tom Rooney: “This has got to be the first bill in five years that I’ve […]

Tag: Jamie Grant

Despite Rick Scott rejection, Mark Sharpe says Tampa Innovation Alliance is right on course

Arthenia Joyner again stops proposal that would ease life for Uber and Lyft in Florida

House-Senate health care fight inflected by Twitterverse

Where fundraising races stand in Tampa Bay area 2016 contests

Mitch Perry Report for 4.29.15 — GOP fights GOP in Tally as Democrats watch

Early voting in Jamie Grant’s HD 64 special election begins Saturday

Write-in residency requirements bill goes down in bipartisan flames

Mike Deeson raw at Tiger Bay

Write-in candidate bill passes first committee stop

Uber bill greenlighted by House transportation panel