Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 31, 2016

You hear a lot in the news these days about how conservatives are poised to work with liberals on criminal justice. It actually happened a few times during this past Legislative Session in Tallahassee. At Wednesday’s Suncoast Tiger Bay meeting in St. Petersburg, the assembled lawmakers were asked to cite what they thought was the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2016

With the 2016 Florida Legislative Session now in their rear view mirrors, the entire Pinellas County delegation – sans HD 65 Republican Chris Sprowls – discussed various aspects of what just went on in Tallahassee on Wednesday before a robust Suncoast Tiger Bay Club audience at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The delegation skews heavily Republican, […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 13, 2016

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A bill that would create statewide regulations for transportation network companies (TNCs) passed through the House Economics Affairs Committee on Wednesday. This is the third year in a row that such legislation has come before Florida lawmakers. Cities and counties creating their own rules on dealing with companies such as Uber and Lyft are applying more […]

Mitch PerryDecember 15, 2015

Congressional District 13 Democratic hopeful Charlie Crist is coming out swinging against Republican Mark Bircher, in advance of Bircher’s formal kickoff campaign announcement Tuesday night. As this website reported Monday, Bircher, the retired Marine Corps Reserve brigadier general who finished third in the Republican race for Pinellas County’s 13th Congressional District race in January 2014, will hold his first event as a candidate for […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Clearwater Republican Sen. Jack Latvala and South Pasadena Rep. Kathleen Peters held a press conference Monday to announce a pair of bills that would make mental health and substance abuse services more available to Floridians. Latvala and Peters’ legislation aims integrate the state’s mental health services to create a culture of access through any door, and would also […]

Mitch PerryDecember 10, 2015

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will be in Tampa on Friday night for a fundraiser, but it’s not for his own struggling presidential campaign. The GOP presidential contender will be appearing at the Centre Club in Tampa in an event for the Republican Party of Florida. Among the Republicans who are scheduled to attend include […]

Mitch PerryDecember 3, 2015

While the news is all about the latest gun shooting in San Bernardino on Wednesday, let’s focus here on another death that’s been in the news a lot in the past couple of weeks: that being of Laquan McDonald, the black teenager killed by a white Chicago police officer a year ago. In between her […]

Mitch PerryDecember 2, 2015

Mark Bircher has filed paperwork to run for the 13th Congressional District seat in 2016, becoming the first Republican to do so. He’s the retired Marine Corps Reserve brigadier general who finished third in the district’s Republican primary in early 2014 to succeed the late Bill Young. The 62-year-old Seminole resident and commercial airline pilot […]

Jim RosicaNovember 30, 2015

The last committee week before the 2016 Legislative Session means — what else — a post-Thanksgiving cornucopia of fundraisers. The Republican Party of Florida sent an email last week listing all the events, coinciding with the December committee week, the last one before session begins Jan. 12. In chronological order, here are the events, subject to change and […]

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday barely passed a controversial bill that would allow people with a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry a gun openly. House Bill 163 is being sponsored in the House by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz. It passed with Pinellas County Republicans Chris […]

Tag: Kathleen Peters

Mitch Perry Report for 3.31.16 – Pinellas lawmakers reflect on bills likely positive for entire body politic

Pinellas lawmakers talk 2016 Session, advice for Rick Scott, and who they think will be president

Ride-sharing bill advances in House Economics committee

Charlie Crist goes after Mark Bircher in fundraising note

Jack Latvala, Kathleen Peters file mental health reform legislation

Jeb Bush to appear at RPOF fundraiser in Tampa on Friday

Mitch Perry Report for 12.3.15 – Rahm Emanuel and Chicago are stuck with each other

Mark Bircher becomes the first Republican to enter CD 13 contest

Email insights: More House GOP fundraising

Open carry weapons bill advances in House