Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 31, 2018

Currently in the Florida Legislature, there is a provision in a bill that “no later than Jan. 15, 2019” USF must submit a plan to “phase out the separate accreditation of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus and the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee Campus … no later than June 30, 2020.” Make no […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 22, 2018

— Tampa Bay ranks third statewide in job creation — Tampa Bay added 28,000 new private-sector jobs in the last year, the third-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. In a statement this week from Gov. Rick Scott, Tampa Bay’s unemployment rate had dropped to 3.4 percent, down 1.1 percentage points from the same […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 14, 2018

— Optimistic Floridians show love for Bob Buckhorn — Floridians, feeling good for the future, are also showing love for Buckhorn, naming him second most popular Democrat in the state, according to a new survey from the Florida Chamber Political Institute. In the first statewide poll of the New Year, conducted Jan. 2-5, Voter Opinions asked 600 […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 7, 2018

Tampa Bay is more than a body of water — so much more. To start, an admission: I really missed writing about Tampa Bay, particularly its politics. With all that is going on in the region surrounding my beloved St. Petersburg, it was tough to resist being drawn back into the fray. And in the […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 7, 2017

Legislation providing for a review of efficiency in government procurement is making its way through the Legislature. St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes’ SB 368 cleared the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government Thursday with a unanimous and undebated yes vote. Brandes’ bill — which is accompanied in the House by Wauchula Republican Rep. Ben Albritton’s […]

Peter SchorschNovember 28, 2017

A word of warning for Florida Democrats in 2018; be cautious about eyeing Pinellas County Sen. Jeff Brandes’ District 24 seat. After the somewhat surprising success of Rick Kriseman, who edged out former mayor Rick Baker, Florida Democrats are starting to think a “blue wave” will give them a legitimate shot at Brandes, the incumbent […]

Staff ReportsNovember 3, 2017

A luxury townhome community in downtown St. Petersburg is now on hold from a legal battle between developer and builder, which reacted to an alleged payment default by getting the city to suspend the project’s permits. Neil Rauenhorst, a licensed architect, real-estate broker and construction financial officer, is the head of Tampa-based NJR Property Investments. […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 27, 2017

Jack Latvala is expanding his appeal as a “hero” with first responders across Florida. On Wednesday, the Clearwater Republican announced firefighters in St. Petersburg, Coral Gables and Indian River County have added their support to his bid to become Florida governor. “You have become a hero among firefighters,” said Indian River County Professional Firefighters and […]

Joe HendersonSeptember 27, 2017

The news that Tampa and St. Petersburg will work together to attract the much-sought new Amazon headquarters is exactly what outsiders have been saying for decades this area needs to do. This goes back to when the squabbling sibling cities submitted separate proposals to attract a Major League Baseball team. Baseball bosses rolled their eyes […]

Peter SchorschAugust 29, 2017

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St. Petersburg’s “battle of the two Ricks” is not over yet. Voters have made their choice in the primary, advancing former two-term Mayor Rick Baker and first-term Mayor Rick Kriseman to the November election. Baker led for most of the evening Tuesday; but in the end, he slipped behind with 48.23 percent of the vote […]

Tag: St. Petersburg

This is the best you can do, St. Pete Chamber of Commerce?

Not Just A Body Of Water — A weekly newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 1.21.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — 1.14.18

Not Just A Body Of Water — 1.7.18

Bill to review government efficiency sails through committee

A warning for Democrats eyeing Jeff Brandes’ SD 24 seat in 2018

Legal battle stalls high-end townhomes in downtown St. Pete

Florida firefighters, first responders continue lining up behind Jack Latvala

Joe Henderson: Two cities, one push for Amazon HQ

St. Pete mayoral race goes into OT: Runoff election needed