Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2016

Happy Friday, y’all. As we go into the NFL’s best weekend (and one of the greatest in all of professional sports) and reflect on the Oscar nominations (DiCaprio, Brie Larson and Stallone are locks, by the way, and though she won’t win, I’m all in for Alicia Vikander for Supporting Actress), Friday’s national story is […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 14, 2016

A bill that would that would reform the driver’s license and revocation process in Florida passed unanimously Thursday in the Senate Transportation Commission. The legislation (SB 7046) sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes would revise requirements relating to the payment of court-related fines or other monetary penalties, fees, charges, and costs. It would also require traffic […]

Kimberly DeFalcoJanuary 12, 2016

Billed as the “First Annual Shootout,” the Pinellas County Republican Party and Executive Committee hosted local and state politicians as well as outdoors enthusiasts at the Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes, days before Florida lawmakers return for its 60-day session. Organized by Matt Lettelleir, Director of Party Development for the PCRP and […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2016

Legislation that would exempt the value of solar-power and other “renewable energy” equipment from Floridians’ property tax bills was unanimously cleared by a Senate panel Monday. Part of the legislation (SB 172/SJR 170), sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, would create a constitutional amendment required to enact the measure. It would have to be […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 8, 2016

More patients could be allowed to use medical marijuana under recently filed legislation in the Florida Legislature. On Thursday, Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, filed legislation, HB 1183, that could expand medical marijuana options beyond a narrow category of patients, including children with a rare form of epilepsy. Wood’s proposal would allow use […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 8, 2016

The Florida Council for Safe Communities said Thursday it will back legislation to increase penalties for suspected drunken drivers who decline sobriety tests. “Our mission is to make Florida the safest state in the country, especially for our most vulnerable citizens,” council Chairman John Giotis said. “That’s why we enthusiastically support House Bill 555, Rep. Scott Plakon’s tough drunk […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 7, 2016

A member of the Legislature’s unofficial “disruptive technology” caucus has filed legislation that would allow for digital versions of state-issued driver, hunting, fishing and boating licenses. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, filed the bill (SB 1430) on Wednesday. He’s a technology advocate who has sponsored legislation to allow driverless cars on Florida’s roads. The measure also […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 6, 2016

The chairman of the Florida Senate’s Transportation committee has filed legislation aimed at reining in the burgeoning number of specialty license plates. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, filed the bill (SB 1390) on Wednesday. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety now lists 124 approved and available specialty plates. Now, groups in Florida […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 4, 2016

According to an analysis conducted by the Miami Herald last year, most driver’s license suspensions in Florida occur because of a failure to pay fees for traffic violations, not because of unsafe driving practices. The failure to pay fees accounted for 77 percent of all license suspensions in Florida between 2012 and 2015, according to an analysis […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

It’s been a long contentious year in Tampa Bay, from Pinellas County’s “Failure Factories” and Beth Leytham in Tampa City Hall to the evolving political landscape that has drawn Charlie Crist for another bid for elected office. Good or bad, 2015 offered a little something for everyone (to cheer or argue about). Now that the […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes
Now it's time for Florida to start cleaning up.

Mitch Perry Report for 1.15.16 — Has the GOP contest wilted down to 2-and-a-half men?

Jeff Brandes driver’s license suspension reform bill passes unanimously in committee

Pinellas GOP hosts inaugural Land O’ Lakes “shootout” and fundraiser

Jeff Brandes’ renewable energy bills easily clear committee

John Wood files legislation to give more patients medical marijuana options

Florida Council for Safe Communities backs stronger DUI penalties, opposes relaxed cannabis and alcohol bills

Jeff Brandes backs “digital ID” bill

Jeff Brandes cracking down on specialty auto tags

Event aiming to reinstate suspended drivers licenses set in Hillsborough

Mitch Perry’s 5 people to watch in Tampa Bay politics in 2016