Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Adam WeinsteinFebruary 13, 2015

What an awful week for journalism, all around. The worst was undoubtedly the loss Thursday night of New York Times media reporter par excellence David Carr, who died at 58. Beyond his reputation for endless warmth, sincerity, and mentorship for generations of journos, Carr was singularly fearless in reporting, re-reporting, turning every stone over, and […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

Rick Swearingen, newly appointed commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is taking a stand against a recent article criticizing his trips he took as part of Gov. Rick Scott‘s security detail. “State’s new FDLE Commissioner has Earned Governor’s Favor,” which ran Feb. 9, has Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald reporter Mary Ellen Klas claiming Swearingen took several “inappropriate trips” at […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

Rick Swearingen, newly appointed commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, is taking a stand against a recent article criticizing his trips he took as part of Gov. Rick Scott‘s security detail. “State’s new FDLE Commissioner has Earned Governor’s Favor,” which ran Feb. 9, has Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald reporter Mary Ellen Klas claiming Swearingen took several “inappropriate trips” at […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

Jeb Bush, in the most significant move yet towards a run in the key early primary state of New Hampshire, hired senior GOP adviser Rich Killion for his Right to Rise PAC. Killion becomes the first Right to Rise staffer to join the campaign in the Granite State. Spokeswoman Kristy Campbell tells the Tampa Bay Times that […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 13, 2015

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Next week, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a pair of controversial gun bills to address issues such as weapons on college campuses and the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit during mandatory emergency evacuations. The bills, SB 176 from Baker Republican Sen. Greg Evers and SB 290 from Republican Sen. Jeff […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 13, 2015

My TweetDeck was filled with comments of respect for David Carr around 1:30 a.m. this morning. I had turned to it immediately after reading of his shocking death on the website of his beloved New York Times. Eric Deggans has called him the finest media reporter of his generation, and he was that, and a whole lot […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 12, 2015

In Washington, members of Congress are in full attack mode about who is to blame for the fact that the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) could lose its funding in two weeks. Tampa Bay area Representative Kathy Castor today cosponsored H.R. 861, a bill that would prevent a Feb. 28 shutdown of the DHS, the agency charged […]

James CallFebruary 12, 2015

Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen was flanked by bankers, financial advisors, educators and a representative of the Junior League when she explained support was growing daily for a proposal to mandate a one-semester financial literacy course for high school graduation. Then in walked Rep. Alan Williams to demonstrate bi-partisan support for a proposal by Fitzenhagen and Sen. Dorothy Hukill. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 12, 2015

It’s not every day that a divorce lawyer reports her own client to the state child abuse hotline. But that’s what John Jonchuck‘s lawyer did. On Jan. 7, Jonchuck showed up at the firm’s office dressed in pajamas, toting his 5-year-old daughter Phoebe, along with a Bible he incorrectly believed to be written in Swedish. Jonchuck’s lawyer told the Hotline that her client was “out-of-his-mind […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 12, 2015

Florida’s aerospace sector will be featured in Tallahassee next month, as lawmakers and industry reps take part in Florida Space Day 2015. Industry representatives will visit the Capitol on March 25 for the annual event to tell legislators about the many opportunities aerospace offers both statewide and for the national space program. “The business of space […]

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Kamala Harris. Image via AP.

Adam Weinstein: The worst of the week in journalism

New FDLE chief blasts Herald article on “inappropriate” trips as Rick Scott security detail

New FDLE chief blasts Herald article on "inappropriate" trips as Rick Scott security detail

Jeb Bush moves closer to N.H. primary run, hires top state adviser

Senate panel to discuss 2 controversial gun rights bills

Mitch Perry Report for 2.13.15 – RIP, David Carr

Kathy Castor urges GOP House not to shut down Dep’t of Homeland Security

Proposal requires financial literacy credit for high school graduation

Florence Snyder: Phoebe Jonchuck tragedy reveals underpaid staff, DCF doublespeak

Florida Space Day blasts off in Tallahassee on March 25