Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryFebruary 19, 2015

In the past year, states such as Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, and Arizona have passed laws to give critically ill patients the right to try medications that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Jeff Brandes wants Florida to be the next such state to pass what are known as “Right to Try” […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2015

Speaker Steve Crisafulli told FloridaPolitics.com in a pre-session interview that he supports an ongoing effort on behalf of St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes and once-and-future Tampa state Rep. Jamie Grant to pass a statewide framework to legalize Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing businesses, which are, as of now, operating in something of a legal gray space. Crisafulli joins a […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

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Next week, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a pair of controversial gun bills to address issues such as weapons on college campuses and the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit during mandatory emergency evacuations. The bills, SB 176 from Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers and SB 290 from Republican Sen. Jeff […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

Last month St. Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes thrilled advocates for medical marijuana in Florida with a legislative proposal that he introduced for consideration for the 2015 session. It came just months after Floridians voted by nearly 58 percent margin for a medical marijuana constitutional amendment, a substantial mandate, but short of the 60 percent […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

The nascent activist group Conservatives for Energy Freedom will be holding its first town hall meeting in the Sunshine State, appropriately enough, the Sunshine Center in St. Petersburg tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. as it starts its statewide “Energy Choice Listening Tour.” Organizers say they want the public to speak out about issues they’ve had […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2015

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The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has been a favorite whipping boy among critics for years, but its attracted more criticism in recent times as ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft have broken into the market – and not gone along with PTC rules. Uber’s premier ride service known as Uber Black entered the Tampa market during the […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 9, 2015

You might recall that in August of 2012, thousands of Republicans and journalists flooding Tampa for the Republican National Convention were greeted with a billboard that read,” “Welcome to Tampa! Where the mayor and all city council members are DEMOCRATS.” It was the Cigar City’s time to shine, and a point of pride for a state party […]

James CallFebruary 4, 2015

Medicinal marijuana advocates will focus on a Tallahassee meeting room today and Thursday as stakeholders and officials hammer out regulations for a Charlotte’s Web law. Their focus will return to the Florida Capitol next week when the effort to broaden the authorization to use marijuana as a medicine is expected to pick up steam. Advocates from […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 4, 2015

WUSF Radio reported Tuesday that Sami Al-Arian is being deported to Turkey, possibly as early as today. If accurate, this development ends a 20-year legal and political odyssey for the former University of South Florida professor, who was accused and pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in 2006. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2015

What a difference a week makes. Last week Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri made headlines when he issued tentative support for state Sen. Jeff Brandes legislation that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida. That was noteworthy, as the sheriff had been a leading critic of Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment to legalize medical pot that received nearly […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Jeff Brandes files bill to allow dying patients to try unapproved medications

Steve Crisafulli supportive of Uber legislation, says progress is all but inevitable

Senate panel to discuss 2 controversial gun rights bills

Florida House members introduce non-smokeable medical marijuana bill

Energy Choice Listening Tour begins in St. Pete tonight

Judge could rule on Hillsborough PTC minimum fare rule by end of February

FDP goes after GOP Tampa City Council candidates

Jeff Brandes sees quiet groundswell of support; marijuana rally planned for Tally

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 – The Sami Al-Arian odyssey in America ends today

Florida Sheriffs Association opposes Jeff Brandes medical pot bill