Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2015

Could this be the year that the Florida Legislature finally starts trying to actually encourage solar power production in the Sunshine State? The state’s heretofore desultory commitment to alternative energy sources took another hit last fall, when the Public Service Commission voted to cut the energy efficiency goals of the state’s utility companies by more than 90 percent, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2015

After years of failure, the Florida Legislature in 2013 finally passed a ban on texting while driving, joining the majority of states who already had passed such legislation addressing the issue of Americans obsession with their smartphones. But even its biggest supporters admitted that bill was modest at best. If fact, the current law is so […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2015

Every year, federal and state law enforcement agents seize millions of dollars from civilians during traffic stops, simply by asserting that they believe the money is connected to some illegal activity and without ever pursuing criminal charges. Under federal law and the laws of most states, they are entitled to keep most (and sometimes all) […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 12, 2015

Every year, federal and state law enforcement agents seize millions of dollars from civilians during traffic stops, simply by asserting that they believe the money is connected to some illegal activity and without ever pursuing criminal charges. Under federal law and the laws of most states, they are entitled to keep most (and sometimes all) […]

Ryan RayJanuary 9, 2015

St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes, long a staunch critic of local governments installing red- light cameras, vowed this week to reject any legislation that would expand the use of the enforcement by camera of traffic infractions. Brandes was moved to declare his opposition during a discussion at a Friday meeting of the Senate Transportation […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2015

Though political ideology rarely surfaces in your typical Tampa City Council meeting, the fact of the matter is the current seven-member board is represented exclusively by Democrats at the moment. That may change in March, though, when the leading contender to succeed Charlie Miranda in the District 6 race is engineer Jackie Toledo, a registered […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 9, 2015

Though political ideology rarely surfaces in your typical Tampa City Council meeting, the fact of the matter is the current seven-member board is represented exclusively by Democrats at the moment. That may change in March, though, when the leading contender to succeed Charlie Miranda in the District 6 race is engineer Jackie Toledo, a registered […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 8, 2015

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has again filed a bill which would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a license during mandatory evacuations. After a contentious debate led to the failure of a similar proposal last year, the St. Petersburg Republican filed the bill (SB 290) on Thursday that revives the issue. Among critics of the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 4, 2014

Hope sprang eternal back in March, when Hillsborough County Commission Ken Hagen dropped a proposal on his colleagues for an immediate approval of a $250,000 grant for The Infiltrator, a $47.5 million Hollywood film production that tells the story of former DEA agent (and Tampa Bay resident) Robert Mazur, who helped take down the infamous […]

Mitch PerryNovember 24, 2014

A ceremony heralding the groundbreaking for the $943 million master plan for Tampa International Airport took place Thursday morning, and it was a major production indeed. Held on the roof of the airport’s economy parking garage under a large tent equipped with heaters, wide screen television monitors, and 60’s style flight attendants, the event was […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Jeff Brandes proposes legislation to extend renewable energy tax exemption

Mitch Perry Report for 1.13.15 – Time for a serious driving while texting bill in Florida?

Jeff Brandes "looking into" possibly addressing civil forfeiture laws in Florida

Jeff Brandes “looking into” possibly addressing civil forfeiture laws in Florida

Sen. Jeff Brandes puts his foot down on red-light cameras

Jeff Brandes & Dana Young help fundraise for Tampa Council candidate Jackie Toledo

Jeff Brandes & Dana Young help fundraise for Tampa Council candidate Jackie Toledo

Jeff Brandes refiles controversial gun bill from 2014

Hillsborough County approves funding for upcoming Hollywood production

Groundbreaking begins on Tampa airport’s $943 million master plan