Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannOctober 10, 2016

Two Florida daily newspapers opposing the legalization of medical marijuana in 2014 have made an about-face, and are now supporting a “yes” vote on Amendment 2. This week, United for Care, the organization behind Amendment 2, announced the editorial boards of the Florida Times-Union and Ft. Myers News-Press each have penned op-eds in favor of the […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 15, 2016

The newsroom staff of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on Thursday narrowly voted to unionize, according to the NewsGuild-CWA, which now will represent those employees. The final tally was 22-16, the union said. “We are ready to have a voice and a place at the table where decisions affecting our staff and our service to the community are made,” said […]

Jim RosicaJuly 28, 2016

The indefatigable Lloyd Dunkelberger, unceremoniously jettisoned by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, has landed at the News Service of Florida (NSF). The Tallahassee-based state news provider announced the hire on Thursday. Dunkelberger, 62, joins the NSF staff next week. He “has covered state government since 1983, including 33 regular sessions of the Florida Legislature and eight governors,” according to a News […]

Florence SnyderJuly 11, 2016

Editor’s note: Within 24 hours of his layoff, Lloyd Dunkelberger has joined FloridaPolitics.com as a contributor. *** There was yet another round of layoffs last week at Florida newspapers. Men and women with, collectively, hundreds of years of priceless institutional memory and high-functioning moral compasses were unceremoniously kicked to the curb. They will be replaced, […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2016

Americans For Prosperity Florida is praising the Sarasota County Commission for rejecting a financial incentive to help lure an out-of-town private company to relocate their business in the county. “We’re thrilled to see Sarasota County reject the calls from special interests to take taxpayer dollars and give (them) away to a private company,” said state director, Chris Hudson. “These […]

Mitch PerryApril 18, 2016

The Tampa Bay Times took home not one, but two Pulitzer Prizes on Monday. Their investigation into Pinellas County public schools, “Failure Factories,” took the Pulitzer for Local Reporting. The investigation, researched and reported by Cara Fitzpatrick, Lisa Garter and Michael La Forgia showed how the school district abandoned integration efforts in 2007 and then failed […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 18, 2016

Tallahassee – U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was in the Capitol Wednesday. With the Senate (what else?) off for the week on “President’s Day holiday,” the only statewide elected Democrat was in town to congratulate the League of Women Voters on their Fair Districts court victory. It was great to see the LWV folks in the […]

Mitch PerryDecember 14, 2015

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) issued a statement on Monday giving their full support to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who has been under a firestorm of criticism in recent days for comments he was quoted as saying last week regarding the open carry legislation being debated in the Florida Legislature. Gualtieri and the FSA […]

Guest AuthorOctober 15, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Guest AuthorOctober 14, 2015

Many of Florida’s public officials must be enjoying the slow death of the state’s once powerful newspapers. In the 1990s, a skeptical reporter would be asking exasperating questions every time a politician or bureaucrat made a controversial decision. The painful shrinking of Florida’s papers continues, though. Last week Tribune Publishing offered another round of buyouts. […]

Tag: Sarasota Herald-Tribune

2 Florida papers do an about-face on Amendment 2, call for yes on medical pot

Sarasota Herald-Tribune newsroom votes to unionize

Personnel note: Lloyd Dunkelberger hired by News Service of Florida

Florence Snyder: And another one gone (-30-)

AFP applauds Sarasota for rejecting incentives to lure national roofing company to relocate

Tampa Bay Times takes home two Pulitzer Prizes

Mitch Perry Report for 2.18.16 – Do we have new entrant in GOP Senate race?

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri’s out-of-context quotes lead to misinterpretation, harsh responses

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff

Tom O’Hara: Floridians lose when struggling newspapers reduce staff