Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 10, 2019

In his fourth annual State of the Economy address this week, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman touted a range of key accomplishments in 2018 — from high construction value to the low cost of living. Among economic indicators, St. Pete had the highest construction value on record with nearly $700 million in construction projects stemming from more than […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 10, 2019

With much of the local media’s political focus right now on Tampa’s hyper-competitive mayoral race, it’s easy to forget there’s another municipal race this year that could have implications both locally and regionally. Four St. Petersburg City Council races are on the ballot this August and of those, two are for open seats. That means […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

On Thursday, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he would award $2.5 million to the city of St. Petersburg to help combat climate change. Nevertheless, his organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, didn’t fully explain one significant question. Why St. Pete? Kelly Shultz, Bloomberg Philanthropies Climate Challenge project lead, said the Sunshine City met a number of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

Former New York City Mayor and potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, through his philanthropic organization, is awarding the city of St. Petersburg $2.5 million to help combat the effects of climate change. Bloomberg announced Thursday that St. Pete will be the 20th city in the nation to win his American Cities Climate Challenge. “Fighting […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

St. Pete City Council will consider changes to its sustainability and resiliency ordinance approved in 2017 that would broaden its application and take into account potential conflicts with projects receiving state or federal funding. Under the city’s current ordinance, new construction and substantial renovations to city property require third-party sustainability and resiliency verification through LEED […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 2, 2019

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is meeting with Michael Bloomberg to make an announcement concerning his administration’s efforts to combat climate change. Kriseman is meeting with the former New York City Mayor for coffee Thursday morning and then the two will deliver a news conference at Albert Whitted Park at 10 a.m. The two will also meet […]

Staff ReportsDecember 28, 2018

‘Stand your ground’ case in St. Pete A Jabil employee is using Florida’s “stand your ground” law to defend himself against charges of culpable negligence for allegedly inflicting personal injury on his wife, Jennifer Chandler, in June. Charges were filed July. In a filing this month, St. Pete resident Jay Edward Chandler claims he was […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 19, 2018

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority $1.2 million through its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning, the agency announced Wednesday. The grant will fund transit-oriented development planning along the proposed Central Avenue Bus Rapid Transit route planned to connect downtown St. Petersburg to the Gulf Beaches along First Avenues North and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 18, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays quest to move to Tampa is officially over … at least for now. The team submitted its “decision notice” to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman Monday. “Please be advised that, as required … the Rays hereby notify the city the Rays will not attempt to negotiate the “new agreements” or prepare […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 17, 2018

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Christmas in downtown St. Petersburg is a little different this year — better by most accounts. One of the most notable changes to the city’s holiday display is the absence of the popular nativity scene that has been on display in North Straub Park every year since former Mayor Rick Baker raised private funds to […]

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Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Rick Kriseman boasts ‘unprecedented growth’ in St. Pete economy speech

Another political race? What to expect from this year’s St. Pete City Council contests

So why did Michael Bloomberg pick St. Pete for the $2.5M climate action plan?

Michael Bloomberg awards St. Pete $2.5M to mitigate climate change

With climate change in mind St. Pete plans update to sustainability policies

Michael Bloomberg coming to St. Pete to talk climate change

Stand your ground, medical malpractice suits filed in Pinellas County

Central Avenue BRT nabs $1.2 million grant for transit-oriented development

Tampa Bay Rays make final decision on St. Pete contract deadline

Away in a manger … just a little further down the road in St. Pete now