Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayMarch 1, 2015

What does it mean to own property? Are app-based lodging and transportation services showing the way toward an enlightened age of the Sharing Economy or simply enabling a kindler, gentler gentrification? Can I crash at your parents’ house in Boca for 70 bucks a night? As Airbnb expands its presence in Florida, such are the stakes in […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 27, 2015

The 2015 Tampa Mayoral/City Council campaign has been a veritable snooze fest so far, but it’s starting to heat up as we approach the final weekend before Election Day on Tuesday. In an extremely personal attack, District 6 challenger Tommy Castellano Thursday night issued a vitriolic statement against Jackie Toledo, calling her and her campaign “an embarrassment.” Does Castellano think he […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

Six weeks after he said he was considering filing such legislation, St. Petersburg Republican state Sen. Jeff Brandes on Thursday filed a bill that prohibits law enforcement agencies from retaining property and assets seized from individuals who are not convicted of a crime. Civil forfeiture is a controversial legal process that allows police to take assets from […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation that would allow share-riding companies Uber and Lyft to operate legally in Florida, and would also change the current composition of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — an agency that Brandes tried to kill in proposed legislation a year ago. The Brandes bill on the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 24, 2015

In anticipation of the 2015 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com is asking state lawmakers about their goals and priorities – and whether they support some controversial issues in the state. Here are the responses from State Senator Jeff Brandes: In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session, i.e. “Excited.” “Hopeful” What’s a local issue you […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 23, 2015

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli is right: no one has really made the case to him or anyone that the statutory language of SB 1030, legalizing low-THC medical marijuana, is flawed; but it absolutely is and must be fixed legislatively. I’m willing to accept partial blame here. The conversations surrounding 1030 have largely been driven […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 22, 2015

Editorial cartoonist Bill Day casts a critical eye this week on Florida’s medical marijuana fight, pitting well-known attorney John Morgan against U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, one of the most influential politicians in the Democratic Party. As the principal financial backers behind People United for Medical Marijuana, Morgan spearheaded Amendment 2, the 2014 proposal to […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 22, 2015

Editorial cartoonist Bill Day casts a critical eye this week on Florida’s medical marijuana fight, pitting well-known attorney John Morgan against U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, one of the most influential politicians in the Democratic Party. As the principal financial backers behind People United for Medical Marijuana, Morgan spearheaded Amendment 2, the 2014 proposal to […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 20, 2015

Happy Friday to y’all. So much to talk about in the news this morning … The Tampa Bay Times’ flooded the zone in December with a series of disturbing stories about New Beginnings of Tampa, one of the city’s largest homeless charities, which for years has made money off its residents through its controversial “work therapy” program. The […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

This past Friday, St. Petersburg City Council convened for nearly three hours in an attempt to set up regulations to create a legal framework that would require Uber and Lyft to comply with ordinances regarding taxi cabs and limousines. It was the first time that local government had devoted a session to an issue that […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

2015 Legislative Session Preview: Will Airbnb make itself at home in Florida?

Mitch Perry Report for 2.27.15 — Tampa City Council District 6 race just got a bit naughty

Jeff Brandes files bill to amend civil forfeiture law in Florida

Jeff Brandes bill would reduce local choice of representation on Hillsborough County PTC

Previewing the 2015 Legislative Session with Jeff Brandes

Ben Pollara: Fixes that can make Florida's medical marijuana law work

The latest Bill Day editorial cartoon: "Debbie and John"

The latest Bill Day editorial cartoon: “Debbie and John”

Mitch Perry Report for 2.20.15 — On Rudy, Rick and DWS

Matt Gaetz files legislation addressing Uber, Lyft