Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannApril 30, 2015

Despite the Legislature failing this year to advance statewide discrimination protections for employment, housing, and public accommodations, equality for Florida’s workforce is more popular than ever. With the early dismissal of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act did not advance during the recently ended 2015 Florida Legislative Session. However, the number […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

Newly tapped Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said Thursday during his introduction to the city that black bicyclists have “absolutely not” been unfairly targeted by the department that he’ll take over next week. Activists have said they want a time-out on the bike citations, but when asked by a reporter about the issue Ward didn’t […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

When he began running countywide as the Democratic challenger to Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair in 2007, Kevin Beckner started out very early. He had to. Very few people in the political community knew him during his debut run for office. Hillsborough County is a huge area to campaign in, plus he was an openly gay […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

Two nights after Baltimore burned in anger at the death of Freddie Gray, the young black man who died in police custody there, mass demonstrations were held in cities like Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Denver; New York City; and Minneapolis on Wednesday night. No such protests occurred in the Tampa Bay area, but Baltimore was very […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

Less than half an hour after Senate President Andy Gardiner sent a letter to House Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Wednesday asking him to bring the House back into Session, Crisafulli responded forcefully. He’s not doing it. The defiant speaker chastised the Senate in the letter, referring to bills the House has passed but have yet to get […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

Longtime Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan says he’s considering a run for mayor of Tampa in 2019. “I’m encouraged every day to consider running for either mayor of Tampa or a constitutional seat,” Hagan said Tuesday. Having just been re-elected to his District 5 countywide commission seat last year, he admits he’s not in any […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

A day after House Speaker Steve Crisafulli stunned lawmakers by adjourning the House of Representatives three days early, Senate President Andy Gardiner responded He called on Crisafulli to bring the House back into session by this Friday afternoon. In a letter to Crisafulli, Gardiner quotes Article III, section 3 of the Florida Constitution, which states: “Neither house […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

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In recent weeks, supporters of Florida’s Amendment 1 have become increasingly fearful that the Legislature was going to betray the will of the voters that passed the land-buying measure last November. The constitutional amendment calls for the state to dedicate a portion of documentary tax stamp proceeds to land buys and other environmental programs, and was […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

Scott Walker has a double-digit lead over the rest of the Republican field in Iowa, according to a new poll. But Marco Rubio is ascendent. Walker is at 23 percent support in a Public Policy Polling survey released Wednesday morning. Coming in second now is Rubio with 13 percent. Jeb Bush is next at 12 […]

Mitch PerryApril 29, 2015

In Nepal, they’re still digging through the rubble after the devastating weekend earthquake that has taken at least 10,000 lives. In Baltimore, the cleanup continues after Monday’s night of rage. Meanwhile, that city waits for a report on what actually happened to Freddie Gray, due later this week. And in Tallahassee, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli […]

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Despite stalling this year, hopes remain for Florida Competitive Workforce Act in 2016

New Tampa police chief says he’ll keep bike citation policy

Kevin Beckner starts fundraising early for clerk of courts post

Tampa town hall meeting on race reveals raw emotions

Steve Crisafulli refuses to bring Florida House back into Session

Ken Hagan looks at 2019 run for Tampa mayor

Senate President calls on House to return, finish Session

Amendment 1 supporters aren’t giving up the fight for funding just yet

New Iowa poll shows Marco Rubio moving up to 2nd place

Mitch Perry Report for 4.29.15 — GOP fights GOP in Tally as Democrats watch