Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 22, 2015

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Making the Tampa Bay region look like a game of Twister, Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons late Thursday filed his own proposed map redrawing the state’s Senate districts. For instance, Simmons’ map creates a 16th District that takes in about the same area currently represented by GOP Sen. Jack Latvala of Clearwater, not by jumping the bay, […]

Drew WilsonOctober 12, 2015

Republican activist and perpetual candidate Sharon Russ has filed to run for the heavily Democratic House District 70 seat held by termed-out Rep. Daryl Rouson. Russ is no stranger to politics, at least in the Pinellas County portion of the district: She ran for St. Petersburg mayor in 2009 and challenged Karl Nurse for city […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Martin DyckmanJuly 13, 2015

While thinning files last week, I came across one labeled “Crist” and wondered whether to dump it. After successive losses for the U.S. Senate and for governor again, hadn’t Charlie reached the end of the line? No, I thought, something will happen to bring him back. The next day, something did. It was the Florida […]

Ryan RayMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday afternoon granted final approval to a measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on flood insurance. SB 1094 was co-sponsored by Brandes’ fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where flood insurance is among voters’ highest priorities. Brandes has […]

Staff ReportsMay 7, 2015

A measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes aimed at increasing flexibility and lowering premiums on insurance premiums has made it as far as the governor’s office, where it sits pending his approval. SB 1094 replaced the House version sponsored by fellow Pinellas County Republican Rep. Larry Ahern. Brandes and Ahern both represent moderate coastal districts where […]

Suzette PorterApril 11, 2015

Results of Pinellas County’s annual study of its residents’ values shows signs of improvement. Sarah Lindemuth, senior research director with HCP & Associates, presented results from the telephone survey to commissioners during their March 24 meeting. The survey took place Jan. 26-Feb. 11. Calls were made to 200 residents in four demographic areas: north, central, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 11, 2015

It was all about the incumbents Tuesday during a quiet municipal election in eight Pinellas cities. Voters hit the ballot boxes in beach communities, a couple of north county cities, and Kenneth City. The most hotly contested races came out of Kenneth City where a bunch of flamingos made waves. The flock of flamingos popped […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 26, 2015

Florida Department of Transportation officials will be on hand 5 to 7 Thursday evening to answer questions and present the Gateway Expressway project to residents. The meeting will be at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s administration building located at 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg. The location is appropriate considering it’s just about ground zero for […]

Guest AuthorOctober 9, 2014

Florida’s geology, topography and watercourses are like no other state, dominated by vast floodplains along the coast and myriad wetlands, rivers, streams and lakes inland. Virtually all of these features are connected underground by our precious aquifer system through sandy soils and porous limestone. Because Florida’s elevation is only slightly above sea level and relatively […]

Tag: Pinellas County
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

David Simmons files map for Senate redistricting

Perennial GOP candidate Sharon Russ files in HD 70 race

The irony of how redistricting has resurrected Charlie Crist

Martin Dyckman: Redistricting irony: The resurrection of Charlie Crist

Rick Scott signs flood insurance flexibility bill into law

Flood insurance flexibility bill goes to Rick Scott for likely approval

Survey finds Pinellas residents mostly content

Incumbents rule the day in 8 Pinellas municipal races

FDOT officials bring expressway plans to Pinellas

Tom Feeney: Proposed EPA water rules are too costly for Fla. governments