Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 1, 2015

The Republican-led House’s approval of a multibillion-dollar defense policy bill could end up being vetoed by President Obama and ultimately hurting MacDill Air Force Base, contends Tampa Bay area Democrat Kathy Castor. But she’s not blaming the president, but the John Boehner-led House. That’s because the $612 billion bill, which will cover new ships, aircraft and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

In Washington on Tuesday, Senate Republicans introduced a short-term spending bill that would essential fund the government through Dec. 11 and avert a shutdown. The measure would defund Planned Parenthood and increase defense spending by about $13 billion. It’s expected to fall short when it comes up for a vote Thursday. The next likely scenario is that Senate Majority […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

Although it may never come to pass, a redrawn Senate District 20 that would have Pinellas County Republicans Jack Latvala and Jeff Brandes competing against each other shows that Latvala would come out on top, and it wouldn’t be close. The St. Pete Poll survey shows that Latvala would defeat Brandes in a primary, 48-23 percent. Nearly […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 23, 2015

Welcome to the the autumn equinox, Yom Kippur, Pope Francis’ first full day in the U.S., and……the unveiling of Creative Loafing’s annual Best-of-the-Bay issue. Tonight, the folks associated with the local alternative weekly will publish their BOTB issue, literally and figuratively the biggest paper that the company will produce this year. As some of you may know, […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 22, 2015

The percentage of young people who voted in last year’s midterm elections was 19.9 percent, the lowest ever recorded, and significantly below the 24 percent who voted in 2010. At a news conference held at King High School in North Tampa on Tuesday, Michael Malanga, USF Student Body Vice President, was asked why he believed that so few […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 21, 2015

Fourteen-year-old Andrew Joseph III was killed Feb. 7, 2014, as he tried to cross Interstate 4 in Tampa on foot just west of U.S. 301. He had been kicked out of the Florida State Fair for alleged disorderly conduct. He was among the more than 100 young people ejected that night after a stampede of teenagers had […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 16, 2015

Sam Rashid is still a member of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, despite that by doing so, he is directly snubbing Gov. Rick Scott, the man who appointed him to the agency last year and is now calling on him to resign from the board. “Governor Scott expects him to resign and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 15, 2015

Mounting student loan debt continues to grow in the U.S., and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight. Recent reports put the cumulative student debt level at $1.2 trillion. It’s a hot issue on the campaign trail, and yesterday in Iowa, President Obama announced a new initiative that will allow students and families to […]

Ryan RaySeptember 10, 2015

Palm Beach Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced Thursday she will raise money for her congressional campaign in Tampa this weekend – and she’ll be joined by some serious local Democratic brass. Five-term Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor will address attendees at the brunch event Saturday morning in support of McKinlay, who is seeking the 18th Congressional District seat left open by […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Jeb Bush may be struggling in the polls, but there was nothing but unadulterated love for him shown Thursday afternoon in Tampa, where a bevy of local and state Republicans – highlighted by an appearance by Jeb Bush Jr. – gathered to officially open the former Florida governor’s statewide headquarters. Located in the Town ‘n’ […]

Tag: Kathy Castor

Kathy Castor says GOP defense bill that violates the sequester could end up hurting MacDill AFB

Kathy Castor warns GOP about government shutdown threats

Jack Latvala would crush Jeff Brandes in speculative SD 20 race

Mitch Perry Report for 9.23.15 – The Best of Tampa Bay, mostly

On National Voter Registration Day, Kathy Castor and Craig Latimer try to motivate millennials to vote

Teen’s death after 2014 Florida State Fair incident draws Alan Grayson’s attention

Mitch Perry Report for 9.16.15 – Sam Rashid ignores Rick Scott’s call to step down

Kathy Castor presses House to pass student loan reform bill

Melissa McKinlay set to appear with Kathy Castor at Tampa fundraiser

Bay area Republicans gather to open Jeb Bush’s statewide HQ in Tampa