Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 11, 2015

Touching on the themes of American exceptionalism that he’s expressed since he first surfaced on the national political scene, Marco Rubio has released a new video ahead of his expected presidential campaign announcement on Monday afternoon. Rubio’s “Big Announcement” as his camp is touting it, will come at 5:30 p.m. at the Freedom Tower in […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

Early voting starts Saturday in the Florida House District 64 seat formerly held by Republican Jamie Grant that, after the election takes place on April 21, will once again be controlled by, yes, Jamie Grant. The early voting will continue throughout next week in the district, which encompasses northwest Hillsborough and eastern Pinellas counties. It’s […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

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On Thursday, the Florida House passed Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s controversial “conscience protection” bill. The legislation would allow private adoption agencies whose “written religious or moral convictions” do not permit children in their care to be adopted by gays or lesbians to refuse to make such placements. The agencies would not face the possibility of losing their […]

Mitch PerryApril 10, 2015

The Coachella Music Festival is this weekend in Indio, Calif., about 20 minutes west of Palm Springs near the Coachella Valley, one of the hardest-hit drought-stricken regions of the Golden State. I’ve attended five such spectacles (2009-2013), and if you’re into music, it’s an amazing amount of fun — and also a bit of work, […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Legislation that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed in the Florida House on Thursdaty, and will soon go to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk for him to sign. Sponsored by Fort Myers Republican REep. Heather Fitzenhagan as HB 493, SB 290 is similar but with tweaks from […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

The Florida House on Thursday passed a measure that would let private agencies who cite religious or moral grounds to turn away gay couples seeking to adopt children. By a 75-38 vote, HB 7111, sponsored by Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur, was passed. Brodeur proposed the legislation only after the House voted last month to repeal the […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

At 10 a.m, and again at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, a group of activists performed a skit along the Florida Capitol courtyard — acting out a scene where eight condemned people line up next to an executioner. Their crime? Condemned to die for not having health insurance. The players were from Catalyist, a Miami-based community organization […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Good morning. Greetings from Tallahassee. Among the many, many items that the Legislature worked on Wednesday was a resolution in the House condemning President Obama‘s overture to Cuba, including a mandate that the White House not even think about having a Cuban consulate anywhere inside the Sunshine State. That’s certainly not the sentiment among the […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Little debate on the Senate floor Wednesday preceded its unanimous approval of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala‘s bill (SB 186) that would legalize 64-ounce growlers. The issue has become a cause celebre among millenials and other casual observers of the political process in Florida the past few years. Some have been flummoxed as to why the Sunshine […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

The Florida Senate Wednesday passed an adoption bill that would provide financial assistance to public employees to encourage them to adopt foster and special needs children in the Sunshine State who need parents. Sponsored by Niceville Republican Don Gaetz, the bill survived serious opposition led by Lakeland Republican Kelli Stargel, who seized on a bill provision passed in […]

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Marco Rubio teases 2016 campaign themes with new video

Early voting in Jamie Grant’s HD 64 special election begins Saturday

Jason Brodeur says it’s time for truce on gay adoption controversy

Mitch Perry Report for 4.10.15 — A lollapalooza of tax cuts for everyone in Florida

Bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies on way to governor

Florida House approves law to allow private agencies to turn away gay couples from adopting

Activists hold Medicaid gap “public execution” in Capitol courtyard

Mitch Perry Report for 4.9.15 — Obama to delist Cuba from terrorist list?

64-ounce growlers a step closer to fill-ups in Florida

Senate defeats proposal to ban gay adoptions