Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 29, 2018

The response to the first two editions of “Not Just A Body of Water” has been so phenomenal, we worked hard to get one more edition out before the Easter holiday. No Spring Break here. If there’s one theme that’s dominating the local political scene, it’s chessboarding. Candidates are either getting ready to jump into […]

Peter SchorschMarch 26, 2018

While many students (and their parents) throughout Tampa Bay are enjoying a Spring Break, there’s no break in the news for local political aficionados. In fact, the next few weeks will see a flurry of activity as incumbent lawmakers make the rounds at legislative wrap-up events (like the one hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber […]

Peter SchorschMarch 22, 2018

After a brief hiatus, “Not Just A Body of Water” is returning with a streamlined format — different in style from our other email products — that is a better fit for what we describe internally as “Ninja Bow.” We plan to deliver NJABW more frequently than once a week because there is just so […]

Phil AmmannMarch 21, 2018

Americans for Prosperity-Florida will be running a new digital ad in the Tampa Bay region warning against using public money to build a new Rays baseball stadium — either in St. Petersburg or Ybor City. Unveiled Wednesday, the 30-second animated ad, produced by the activist group founded by the billionaire conservative brothers Charles and David […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2018

Survivors, advocates, elected officials and law enforcement turned out in St. Petersburg Wednesday to rally for an end to sexual abuse, taking added significance in light of the growing #MeToo movement. Hosted by the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, the rally was part of the 8th Annual Walk in My Shoes, a 13-day Tallahassee-to-Key-West advocacy event led […]

Ana CeballosMarch 14, 2018

After years of being a persistent—sometimes annoying—presence in committee rooms across the Capitol, only one thing was able to make Tallahassee’s best-known gadfly hang up his corduroy jacket: a snowball of scandals. “Latvala, Clemens, Artiles—all this happened in one year. In one year! No, that is not acceptable and it was too much. It was […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2018

Sen. Jeff Brandes promised criminal justice reforms, a sweeping transportation bill, banning fees on consumer report security freezes and “merlot-to-go,” but only half of those came true by the time the 2018 Legislative Session wrapped up. As the process moved toward the 60-day finish line, the Pinellas County Republican was optimistic about his bold proposals. […]

Guest AuthorMarch 7, 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays want a new stadium to replace 28-year-old Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. But like many professional sports teams these days, they aren’t going to a group of investors or running to the bank to finance the multimillion-dollar project. Instead, they are going to the government to see how much money they can […]

Scott PowersFebruary 20, 2018

The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King is sponsoring buses to transport gun-law advocates from St. Petersburg and Orlando to a rally in Tallahassee Wednesday, and the campaign of his rival candidate Philip Levine announced Tuesday it would be doing something similar next Monday. King, a Winter Park businessman, will be joining protesters on […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 20, 2018

You can make a strong case that it is appropriate the city of St. Petersburg decided to rename its main library after President Barack Obama. Oh dear. What did I just do? I said something nice about Barack Obama. Release the trolls! Or at least the Russian bots. While those hounds are picking up my […]

Tag: St. Petersburg

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 3.29.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing on Tampa Bay politics — 3.26.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 3.22.18

Americans for Prosperity warns ‘taxpayers lose’ with Tampa Bay stadium

Lauren Book’s ‘Walk in My Shoes’ takes to the streets of St. Pete

‘It was time for a sabbatical’: Scandals drive Brian Pitts away

Jeff Brandes loses a couple of priorities, but brings home other wins

Demetrius Minor: Sports teams are holding communities hostage over our tax dollars

Chris King, Philip Levine both busing to gun-reform rallies in Tallahassee

Joe Henderson: It’s fitting to name St. Pete’s library after Barack Obama