Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Outraged by media reports that U.S. workers are being displaced by employees being brought to America through H-1B visas, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida said Tuesday that unless he gets satisfactory answers, he’s prepared to call for Congress to actively reduce the number of such visas in the future. “I’m afraid that this visa program […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Among the many local projects that didn’t escape Rick Scott’s veto pen last week was $2 million earmarked for the Tampa Innovation Alliance, the nascent public-private agency charged with redeveloping the University area of North Tampa. But Mark Sharpe, the agency’s Executive Director, insists that it’s not a big deal. He says the organization never envisioned receiving […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

When House Speaker Steve Crisafulli abruptly called on the Florida House of Representatives to depart Tallahassee three days before the regularly scheduled legislative session was scheduled to conclude in late April, he angered many Floridians, including Senate President Andy Gardiner. The division between the Florida House and Senate this spring prevented the Legislature from producing […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Jeb Bush is about to release 33 years of his tax returns on his website late Tuesday afternoon. Fox News’ Carl Cameron broke that news on Fox and Friends this morning. That’s a record for transparency when it comes to tax returns. The previous record was held by Bob Dole, the GOP presidential nominee 20 years ago. […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2015

Welcome to Tuesday, June 30 — also known as the last day you’ll be receiving annoying fundraising emails for … at least a few more days. Yes, it’s the end of the fiscal second quarter, and candidates are flooding email boxes of those even marginally involved in politics to an all-time annoying level. Meanwhile, Chris […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

One of the big winners out of last week’s budget signing by Gov. Rick Scott was the University of South Florida. It received $12 million in funding for its Kate Tiedemann College of Business building on its St. Petersburg campus, and for the $17 million it received toward the construction of the Morsani College of Medicine […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Hillary Clinton will give a speech within the next three weeks giving her take on how she would deal with Wall Street bankers and the financial industry. That was the one major nugget of news to emanate from Robbie Mook‘s appearance at the Mise en Place restaurant in Tampa on Monday night. Mook is the 35-year-old […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

With Florida again figuring to be one of the most valued swing-state nations in the country, local television stations up and down the state’s 10 biggest media markets are undoubtedly salivating for the campaign to get more intense. As first reported on Twitter by Kevin Cate, Jeb Bush’s super PAC, Right to Rise, is starting to […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Beginning on Wednesday, craft beer enthusiasts will finally be able to purchase 64-ounce growlers at the establishment of their choice in Florida. It’s a big moment for the burgeoning craft beer industry in Florida and its allies in Tallahassee, who had seen their efforts to repeal the unique ban in recent years thwarted by the “Big […]

Mitch PerryJune 29, 2015

Last month Justice Department announced that the Obama administration would provide $20 million in grants to local police departments to help buy body cameras for officers. It’s the first portion to be approved by Congress of a $75 million, three-year body camera funding program requested by the President last December. That’s not to be confused […]

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Image via AP.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson threatens to cut number of H-1B visas

Despite Rick Scott rejection, Mark Sharpe says Tampa Innovation Alliance is right on course

Justice-2-Jesus’ Brian Pitts’ lawsuit calls for repealing every law passed this year because of Legislature’s premature exit

Jeb Bush to release 33 years of tax returns later today

Mitch Perry Report for 6.30.15 — Chris Christie aims to “tell it like it is,” but does anyone care?

USF campuses in St. Pete, Tampa still celebrating budget wins

Robbie Mook says Hillary Clinton taking primary campaign season seriously

Jeb Bush super PAC to soon begin airing ads in Florida

Dana Young and Chris Sprowls to go on “Growler Freedom Tour” on Wednesday

Patrick Murphy joins Corrine Brown in pushing for federal funding for police body cameras