Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 7, 2017

Among the bills Governor Rick Scott signed into law on Tuesday is HB 647, which eliminates of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission by December 31 of this year. The agency, originally created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in the 1970’s and the only one of its kind in the state, has been […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 6, 2017

Tampa GOP state Representative Jamie Grant has filed a bill (HB 647) that would eliminate the controversial Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. “With new information being made public every day, it becomes increasingly clear that this agency needs to be abolished,” Grant said in a statement. “Everything that has come to light has confirmed what we knew […]

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2016

A change in government in Washington has been preceded by a changing of the guard at one of the Tampa Bay area’s most troubled government agencies, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. On the same day the PTC finally approved rules legalizing ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to operate in the county, the agency lost […]

Mitch PerryOctober 26, 2016

The announcement this week that premiums for “silver” health care plans in the state-based exchanges will rise by an average of 22 percent next year has received maximum news coverage, including by political reporters who think it could an “October surprise” that benefits the Republican Party. It is a gift to Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and […]

Mitch PerryOctober 24, 2016

Donald Trump is in Tampa tonight, speaking at the facility formerly known as the 1-800-Gary (it’s actually called the MidFlorida Credit Union something or other). Among the many criticisms even his most fervent supports have expressed about his flagging candidacy is the lack of specific policies that could persuade undecided voters to support him in November. To […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2016

Although Dana Young was a no-show at a Tampa Tiger Bay Club meeting on Friday, her presence was definitely felt as she was the target of several attacks by her three opponents in the state Senate District 18 race. Saying it was the sixth candidate forum where she has failed to appear, Democrat Bob Buesing said she was intentionally avoiding answering the voters’ […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2016

Forget about Marco Rubio in 2020, what about Rick Scott? Troy Kinsey from Bay News 9 reports that “some GOP operatives are floating him as a potential presidential contender in 2020, should Trump lose in November.” Kinsey then quotes all of one lone such operative in his story. But it does make for a good headline. Now, what about Marco Rubio? The […]

Mitch PerryOctober 18, 2016

Amy Schumer isn’t the only major comic whose liberal schtick ended up alienating some Tampa residents who coughed up big money for a night’s entertainment. In 2003 Bill Maher gave an eviscerating takedown of George W. Bush at the Straz Theatre (still known then simply as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center). It was just months […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2016

In the aftermath of published reports about questionable decisions made by Hillsborough County Public Transportation Executive Director Kyle Cockream over the past year, Tampa state Rep. Dana Young is calling for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct an investigation into the agency. “When the line is blurred between the regulator and the entities they regulate, the […]

Mitch PerryOctober 17, 2016

Floridians will get their first chance to observe Marco Rubio and Patrick Murphy in the same room together when they engage in their first debate of Florida’s U.S. Senate contest in Orlando tonight. Trailing by an average of around five percentage points through all of the polling, Murphy needs to have a big performance in him […]

Tag: Kyle Cockream

Rick Scott signs death warrant for Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

At long last, Jamie Grant files bill to kill Hillsborough PTC

Kyle Cockream to step down from Hillsborough County PTC at the end of the year

Mitch Perry Report for 10.26.16 — Can Donald Trump exploit ACA premium increases?

Mitch Perry Report for 10.24.16 — The Donald’s Contract with America

SD 18 candidates make the case for themselves and against Dana Young in Tiger Bay debate

Mitch Perry Report for 10.21.16 — Rick Scott in 2020?

Mitch Perry Report for 10.18.16 — Amy Schumer not the 1st libe

Dana Young calls for FDLE investigation into Hillsborough County PTC

Mitch Perry Report for 10.17.16 — Will recent experience play a factor in tonight’s U.S. Senate debate?