Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 28, 2016

In a few days from now, or perhaps a few weeks, Democrats in Hillsborough County may rise to announce that they’re challenging Republicans in two nearly created opportunities where analysts believe they have a decent shot at winning in a presidential election year. But that’s not the case today. With a new Senate seat created as part […]

Mitch PerryDecember 30, 2015

As first said by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, in the universe change is the only constant. Nowhere was that more applicable than in Tampa Bay during the past 12 months. From the much-ballyhooed dismissal of MaryEllen Elia as Hillsborough County School Board District superintendent to redistricting and the rising (and falling) fortunes for hizzoner Bob Buckhorn, many of the leading […]

Mitch PerryDecember 17, 2015

I’m going to guess that conservatives in Congress aren’t going to turn on new House Speaker Paul D. Ryan so soon, since he’s still undergoing a honeymoon less than two months after replacing the very unpopular John Boehner. But there’s definitely unease among the far right part of the party on this omnibus spending bill […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2015

They’re not using general revenue tax dollars! That was the message that six of the seven members of the Hillsborough County Commission emphasized on Wednesday in voting to approve a deal that will send $29 million in taxpayer money to the Tampa Sports Authority to make improvements on an estimated $87 million plan for Raymond […]

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2015

There’s a lot of angst in the country and political world about how we are dealing with domestic terrorism, five days after San Bernardino. Well, that’s what the media tells us. I’m not so sure. There were a lot of big football games over the weekend with sellout crowds. Restaurants and bars seemed to pretty […]

Mitch PerryOctober 27, 2015

Although Bernie Sanders declared to Hillary Clinton and the nation two weeks ago that, “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails!,” the current FBI investigation regarding how many of Mrs. Clinton’s emails were classified will continue to play out. Now, apparently, we have a bit of an email controversy […]

Phil AmmannOctober 26, 2015

Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandy Murman and Ken Hagan possibly violated Florida Sunshine Laws when they failed to produce public records requested months ago. However, after a 10 News investigation, WTSP reporter Noah Pransky says one Commissioner is apologizing while the other blames county workers. The situation stems from an inquiry into the murky relationship between […]

Jim RosicaOctober 26, 2015

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Gov. Rick Scott got a figurative swift kick in the pants Monday when the head of Tampa’s leading business group told him to get a move on in filling a vacancy on the local aviation authority’s board. “Possibly unlike any appointment you will make, this next appointment is both an opportunity and your responsibility to make […]

Mitch PerryOctober 8, 2015

Watching the Hillsborough County Commission Wednesday discuss the latest with the Go Hillsborough effort was a fascinating glimpse of where this experience may be heading. The headline was that county commissioners beat back a feeble attempt to stop Sheriff David Gee‘s office from investigating the charges on how consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff received its $1.35 million contract […]

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 […]

Tag: Ken Hagan
Image via AP.

More Tampa Democrats indicate no interest in open legislative seats in Hillsborough County

Mitch Perry’s Top 10 stories of 2015 in Hillsborough politics

Mitch Perry Report for 12.17.15 – As Congress votes on spending bill, will far right turn on Paul Ryan now?

Hillsborough BOCC approves stadium improvement deal with Tampa Bay Bucs

Mitch Perry Report for 12.7.15 – Obama speaks on threat of Islamic State, GOP reacts

Mitch Perry Report for 10.27.15 – Hillsborough County’s email problem

After several requests, Hillsborough commissioners produce Beth Leytham emails they said didn’t exist

Tampa Chamber CEO to Rick Scott: “You owe us” after Sam Rashid fiasco

Mitch Perry Report for 10.8.15 – Will Hillsborough commission have votes to put transportation tax on ballot?

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