Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJanuary 14, 2016

The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, is planning a noon rally in the Capitol courtyard Thursday to show lawmakers their “anger and exasperation” with how the Legislature handles education issues. The group announced the “Enough is Enough!” event in a Wednesday news release. Parents, public school supporters and others “will express their anger […]

Mitch PerryOctober 12, 2015

For several years, it’s been a given that Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn would try to take his brand of leadership to a new level in 2018 by seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Facing just token opposition in his re-election bid, Buckhorn won with nearly 96 percent of the vote in March, setting himself up […]

Mitch PerryOctober 9, 2015

The activists went home unhappy Thursday night, but their goals were never the same as the majority on the Tampa City Council regarding the creation of a citizens review board to watchdog the Tampa Police Department. City Council voted 5-2 Thursday evening to a compromise proposal on who gets to select the members of the […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 25, 2015

St. Petersburg House Democrat Darryl Rouson has filed legislation (HB 243) that would ban the display of Confederate flags and symbols on publicly owned or leased property. It will serve as a companion to Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson’s bill in the state Senate. “I can understand people wanting to honor the legacy of their Southern History, but when history and symbolism to […]

Guest AuthorAugust 19, 2015

About a year ago a dear friend gave me a copy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King. The 2012 book earned the 2013 Pulitzer for general nonfiction and the Pulitzer Committee described the book as a “richly […]

Mitch PerryAugust 5, 2015

Two years ago, officials at California State University-Fullerton produced a comprehensive report on police civilian oversight boards. Among their findings was that obstacles to creating a successful agency included politicians who have a “law and order” agenda not conducive to oversight. Plus, if such a board is created, the power that lawmakers have to limit their oversight is through […]

Mitch PerryJuly 24, 2015

717d1f_28b03b60f81c4803bcde39a077b58d34.jpg_srz_p_698_506_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz-1024x1024.jpeg

Florida is one of only three states that require a governor’s order to restore civil rights to ex-felons. As the law stands, men and women released from the prison system must wait five years before applying for full citizenship rights. Then they must petition the governor and Cabinet for clemency, a process that can take 10 […]

Darryl PaulsonJuly 15, 2015

As someone who has testified many times in Florida reapportionment cases, the voters of Florida and then the state Supreme Court got most everything wrong when it comes to “Fair Districts.” I have been hired numerous times by the state or national NAACP to testify about the legacy of voter discrimination in Florida. When you […]

Mitch PerryJune 25, 2015

Bob Buckhorn travels to Tallahassee Friday in what is being seen as his first overt move to broaden his statewide appeal in advance of 2018, when he’ll likely take a run at the Democratic nomination for governor. The Tampa mayor speaks to the Tallahassee Tiger Bay Club on Friday, as well as tape an appearance […]

Melissa RossJune 23, 2015

In the city named for Andrew Jackson, discussions involving race and the history of the South have often been fraught with awkward associations to the past. But an on-air radio discussion over South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s call to remove the Confederate battle flag from that state’s Capitol was refreshingly civil. “The people of South […]

Tag: NAACP
Image via David Silvers.

Teachers union plans “Enough is Enough!” rally in capital

Bob Buckhorn still considering 2018 run for governor

Mitch Perry Report for 10.9.15 – First chapter in Tampa citizens review board saga ends

Darryl Rouson files legislation to ban Confederate flag on public property in Florida

Terri Susan Fine: I question whether we have learned 'citizenship' in our generation

Tampa residents to call for civilian review board to monitor police

Bid for constitutional amendment to restore ex-felons’ rights not looking good for 2016 ballot

Darryl Paulson: What is really “fair districting?”

Bob Buckhorn takes his act to Tallahassee

Jacksonville speaks out about Confederate flag