Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 14, 2015

One legacy of Jimmy Carter‘s administration was his attempt to base a foreign policy on human rights. While in the end it resulted in mixed results, it was a central tenet of his outlook on the world. Human rights overseas is at the forefront today — or should be — as John Kerry becomes the […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

Jeff Brandes says he’s mad as hell, and doesn’t want to take it anymore. The St. Petersburg-based Republican state senator wrote on his Facebook page Thursday that he will propose legislation next year to eliminate the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. His statement comes a day after the controversial agency said that although a Hillsborough […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

In the political equivalent of swatting an underhanded-thrown softball into the bleachers, Pinellas County U.S. Rep. and GOP Senate candidate David Jolly came out Thursday against the Obama administration’s latest attempt to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and transfer detainees to U.S. mainland prisons. “The closing of Gitmo would only embolden […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

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Although same-sex marriage has been legal since the first week of 2015, a new lawsuit contends the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics refuses to allow hospitals to list both same-sex parents on their baby’s birth certificate. Three married same-sex couples, including one based in St. Petersburg, and the LGBT activist group Equality Florida have filed […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

(UPDATE) South Florida U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has taken off the gloves in an already an intense fight with Alan Grayson for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, which won’t take place until next year. With personal financial disclosure forms scheduled to be filed Thursday, Murphy issued a prepared statement challenging his Senate opponent about the […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

Good morning, happy 11th anniversary of Hurricane Charley. Charley, as those of us who were here remember, was the first of four hurricanes that descended upon Florida in August and September 2004. It was going to be the “new normal,” we all fretted. Major storms every summer. Since that time there were a couple that […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

According to a Monmouth University poll released on Wednesday, 52 percent of voters say Hillary Clintons emails should be subject to a criminal investigation for potential release of classified material. The survey was conducted before news broke on Tuesday night that Clinton herself had turned over to the government her personal email server and USB thumb drives […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

For the first time in the 2015-2016 Democratic presidential primary campaign, independent Vermont socialist Senator Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton in a public opinion poll, 44-37 percent. The survey was conducted by Franklin Pierce University and The Boston Herald. Vice President Joe Biden got 9 percent support in the test primary match-up. The other announced Democrats in the […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

Despite a court ruling that rejected their request that could have prevented Uber from operating in Hillsborough County, the Public Transportation Committee agreed today that they could continue to issue citations against Uber (and Lyft) drivers. “It is our opinion that there is nothing in Judge Huey’s order that prevents the PTC from continuing its enforcement […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

Last month marked the 30th anniversary of the legendary Live-Aid concerts that took place in Philadelphia and London. One of the breakout stars of that historic occasion, Boy George, apparently will be in the Tampa Bay area this weekend. That’s right: Culture Club is headlining a group of ’80s and ’90s bands that will be […]

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Mitch Perry Report for 8.14.15 — Cuba, China and human rights

Fed-up Jeff Brandes to propose killing Hillsborough transportation board

David Jolly reiterates opposition to closing down Gitmo

Florida sued for refusing to list both same-sex parents on birth certificates

Patrick Murphy takes on Alan Grayson on hedge fund issue

Mitch Perry Report for 8.13.15 — Jeb Bush deals with a Black Lives Matter activist

Poll says majority support criminal investigation of Hillary Clintons emails

Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton, 44-37 percent, in New Hampshire

Despite court ruling, Hillsborough PTC agents will continue to cite Uber drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 8.12.15 — Hot fun in the summertime?