Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 15, 2015

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The use of red-light cameras in Florida and nationally has been a flashpoint for years. The news in June that a former CEO of a traffic-camera company in Ohio pleaded guilty to bribing public officials has prompted two Florida lawmakers to call for a state investigation into that company’s contracts with local governments in the […]

Mitch PerryJuly 9, 2015

Florida’s political world was shaken Thursday when the state Supreme Court ruled that the GOP-led Legislature had gerrymandered eight congressional districts and called on the Legislature to remedy the situation before the 2016 election. Still to come however, is a court ruling on a separate 2012 lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters and […]

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 10, 2015

The big news in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning is Mike Salinero‘s exclusive in The Tampa Tribune that Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill is prepared to recommend to county commissioners and Mayor Bob Buckhorn that a half-cent sales transit tax be put on the ballot in 2016, with 60 percent of the revenue going to […]

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 Senate’s FHIX 2.0 health care insurance plan carried the day in the upper chamber by a vote of 33-3 Wednesday afternoon. It came after an hours-long session of back-patting and exhortations to the House to join them on their quest for a health care “revolution,” as one senator called it. Warm feelings and high-minded speeches rang […]

Mitch PerryMay 29, 2015

Among the many casualties in the aborted legislative session last month was legislation regulating ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft. On the eve of the Special Session, though, Uber’s Florida General Manager Matthew Gore and other Florida business leaders have asked House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner to include transportation network companies in […]

Associated PressMay 28, 2015

Florida gun owners who don’t have a concealed weapons permit can now take their firearms with them while fleeing a hurricane. Not that it’s been a big problem in Florida in the past. No one can cite an example of a gun owner being arrested while evacuating ahead of a hurricane, but lawmakers didn’t want […]

Staff ReportsMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed into law bill that allows evacuees to carry concealed weapons or firearms on their body or in a vehicle during states of emergency without a permit to do so. SB 290 — co-sponsored by Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen in the House — would allow concealed weapons “while in the act […]

Ryan RayMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday afternoon granted final approval to a measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on flood insurance. SB 1094 was co-sponsored by Brandes’ fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where flood insurance is among voters’ highest priorities. Brandes has […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Lawmakers want FDLE to investigate contacts with red-light camera vendor

Jack Latvala hedges bets on possibility of redrawn state Senate seats in 2016

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

Mitch Perry Report for 6.10.15 — Game-changing developments?

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

Jeff Brandes bucks Senate, votes “no” on revamped FHIX health care plan

Uber requests that ride-sharing be part of Special Session in Tallahassee

Unpermitted Florida gun owners get exemption for hurricanes

Rick Scott signs bill to OK carrying concealed weapons during emergencies

Rick Scott signs flood insurance flexibility bill into law