Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

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The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced a controversial bill that its sponsor says would protect the religious rights of private adoption agencies. However, Democrats, LGBT activists and others say it would give those agencies carte blanche to discriminate against same-sex couples. Sanford Republican Jason Brodeur‘s bill emerged in the past month, immediately after […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

A bill that would make it much easier for doctors to test patients for the HIV virus made its way through a Florida Senate Committee on Wednesday. The measure (SB 512) is sponsored by Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson. She said it would eliminate paperwork that “burdens doctors” when they test in a health screening, such […]

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2015

Legislation that would authorize the University of Miami and its affiliates to establish a single sterile needle and syringe exchange pilot program in Miami-Dade County as a means to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases passed unanimously in a Senate committee this morning. The bill (SB 1040) is being advanced by Palm Gardens Democrat Oscar Braynon, It’s […]

Mitch PerryApril 7, 2015

Although he didn’t call Patrick Murphy his “soulmate” today, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn otherwise gave as full throated endorsement as any politician can when he announced his full-fledged support for South Florida Representative Patrick Murphy in next year’s race for Senate. “I think he is where I am ideologically – which is in the center […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

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Tampa lawyer Brian Willis has made it official: He’s running for the Democratic nomination for Hillsborough County commissioner in the countywide District 6 seat that term-limited Kevin Beckner leaves in 2016. “I have always been dedicated to making Hillsborough a better place to live, ” Willis said in a prepared statement released early Monday afternoon. […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

As has been the case for most of Gov. Rick Scott‘s four and a quarter years in office, a new poll out Monday shows more Floridians disapprove of his job performance than approve. The new Quinnipiac survey shows that 49 percent of those Floridians polled do not approve of the governor’s current job performance, while […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

With 58 percent support, Floridians proved at the polls in 2014 that they supported medical marijuana. Unfortunately, the magic number was 60 percent, which is why the issue is probably going to be back on the ballot in 2016. A new poll by Quinnipiac University released Monday shows huge support for a pot proposal, with […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

Yes, of course it’s early. Nobody is thinking about the 2016 election. Right? Well, if you’re reading this, you have to admit you sort of care. And while the complete field of candidates running for the Florida Senate is very,very incomplete at this time (and we still don’t know if Marco Rubio will run for […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

It was a big Easter weekend full of news. The top local story is penned by Caitlin Johnston in the Tampa Bay Times regarding the treatment and working conditions at the Tampa Fire Department. Sort of embarrassing that a majority of the city’s fire stations still lack designated women’s bathrooms and private changing areas. Rolling […]

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Senate defeats proposal to ban gay adoptions

House moves adoption agency “conscience protection” bill forward

Bill aimed to make HIV testing easier passes Florida Senate committee

Needle exchange program for Miami-Dade advances in Florida Senate

Bob Buckhorn embraces Patrick Murphy’s ideology as he gives his endorsement in Tampa

Transit activist Brian Willis files for Hillsborough County District 6 race

Rick Scott’s approval numbers remain underwater in new poll

Another Quinnipiac poll finds sky-high support of medical pot

Jeff Atwater up 38%-34% over Patrick Murphy in extremely early 2016 Florida Senate poll

Mitch Perry Report for 4.6.15 — Play ball (a little quicker, please)