Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannDecember 30, 2015

In the opening weeks of 2016, Florida’s three professional football stadiums and Daytona International Speedway will each vie for taxpayer funds to help pay for upgrades, many already in progress. Ranking the applicants — Jacksonville Jaguars, Daytona International Speedway (DIS), Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins — will be the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, […]

Mitch PerryDecember 16, 2015

They’re not using general revenue tax dollars! That was the message that six of the seven members of the Hillsborough County Commission emphasized on Wednesday in voting to approve a deal that will send $29 million in taxpayer money to the Tampa Sports Authority to make improvements on an estimated $87 million plan for Raymond […]

Phil AmmannDecember 6, 2015

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Four Florida sports teams have come to Tallahassee with the hope of leaving with state money to renovate and improve facilities, a process where the first step is scheduled to begin at month’s end. Each applicant – Daytona International Speedway, the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars – is jostling for a slice […]

Associated PressNovember 3, 2015

Several of Florida’s professional sports teams are trying again to win state money from the Florida Legislature. State officials said Monday that they had received requests to spend money on the stadiums used by the Miami Dolphins, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The state has also received a funding request from Daytona […]

Phil AmmannOctober 5, 2015

Florida lawmakers gave no money for sports stadium projects during the 2015 Legislative Session. But that was last session. With a new application period approaching, Legislative IQ powered by Lobby Tools reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Sports Authority are expected to seek state funds for renovations at Raymond James Stadium. This week, the Bucs announced details of […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2015

One of the interesting stories leading into the beginning of this NFL season is who will be the better professional quarterback? Florida State’s Jameis Winston or Oregon’s Marcus Mariota? Winston won the Heisman in leading FSU to the national championship in his debut 2013 season, while Mariota won last year’s Heisman. The debate will rage […]

Guest AuthorAugust 19, 2015

I live with three boys, counting Marc, and for the past few years, when our oppressive Florida heat downshifts into simply sweltering, they begin The Ritual. This annual event involves fantasy football spreadsheets, sports radio and worrying about things called “stats.” It involves sitting on the couch with sperm-killing laptops. It involves shouting about hamstrings […]

Mitch PerryAugust 17, 2015

Good morning, y’all. Lawmakers in Tallahassee return to work today to compete their task laid before them by the Florida Supreme Court – to redistrict eight of the state’s 27 congressional districts. They did a lot of complaining last week about how they were wronged by the Supreme Court – but with just five days […]

Bob SparksMay 8, 2015

As the Florida Senate debated itself in Tallahassee last week, a smoldering issue re-ignited thanks to the National Football League draft. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the very first pick, looked to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston as the player best suited to lead them to the playoffs. Millions are aware of the Winston story. […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Daytona International Speedway a perfect fit for Florida Sports Development Program

Hillsborough BOCC approves stadium improvement deal with Tampa Bay Bucs

Miami Dolphins ask state for stadium funding; short on ROI, long on wishful thinking

Florida pro sports teams make another push for state money

Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect to apply for stadium renovation subsidies in 2016

Mitch Perry Report for 9.14.15 – Mariota 1, Winston and Tampa Bay a big zero

Catherine Durkin Robinson: For those of us who don’t get football, we can still see its value with the men in our lives

Mitch Perry Report for 8.17.15 – Winston’s shaky debut

Bob Sparks: Jameis Winston sideshow relocates from Tallahassee to Tampa