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Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

The Florida Democratic Party gathers Saturday night in Hollywood for its annual Leadership Blue Gala. They’re expected to drop their report on how to pick up the pieces after the major disappointment of the 2014 campaign. The report was written by the party’s LEAD (Leadership Expansion to Advance Democrats) Task Force, and it’s already being panned […]

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2015

The big news in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday morning is Mike Salinero‘s exclusive in The Tampa Tribune that Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill is prepared to recommend to county commissioners and Mayor Bob Buckhorn that a half-cent sales transit tax be put on the ballot in 2016, with 60 percent of the revenue going to […]

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2015

Friends, advisors and supporters of Marco Rubio seemed to almost enjoy mocking The New York Times this past weekend, after the Times reported that he and his his wife had racked up 17 driving citations since 1997. They include incidents involving speeding, running red lights, and careless driving. The Florida Senator himself actually had only four such infractions; Jeannette Rubio 13. Now […]

Mitch PerryJune 4, 2015

Good morning, everybody. Props to the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald for their world exclusive giving us the date when Jeb Bush finally ends his “exploring the waters” phase and officially enters the GOP presidential race: June 15. Meanwhile, Lincoln Chafee announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination Wednesday and Rick Perry will later Thursday, if […]

Phil AmmannMay 31, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — St. Petersburg City Council boots it again on stadium stalemate The St. Petersburg City Council’s dispiriting discussion this week failed to break the unproductive stalemate over a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site. But […]

Phil AmmannMay 24, 2015

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers: Tampa Bay Times — Honoring those who died to protect us Like many federal holidays, Memorial Day has become a day that more often is associated with fellowship, food and fun than its founders’ original intent. But we should never fail to remember the sacrifices of […]

Mitch PerryMay 21, 2015

She didn’t even make the initial list of finalists, but now Janet Dougherty will soon become only the third executive director of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC). The 53-year-old Hillsborough County native comes with 25 years of experience in local and state environmental policy and business management, and she wasn’t even on the short […]

Mitch PerryMay 21, 2015

Although he’s been on the job for nearly two weeks, Eric Ward didn’t officially become the new Tampa police chief until Thursday morning, when the city council unanimously confirmed his appointment. It came while dozens of his fellow TPD officers crammed into the council’s intimate chambers to part of the occasion. Ward, 48, grew up […]

Phil AmmannMay 11, 2015

Sarasota Herald-Tribune political writer Jeremy Wallace is crossing the Sunshine Skyway for a role as state government reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. Wallace, who has been at the Herald-Tribune since 2004, made the announcement on his Facebook page. He will be based out of Tallahassee. “Not only is it simply the best newspaper in Florida,” […]

Mitch PerryApril 30, 2015

Newly tapped Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said Thursday during his introduction to the city that black bicyclists have “absolutely not” been unfairly targeted by the department that he’ll take over next week. Activists have said they want a time-out on the bike citations, but when asked by a reporter about the issue Ward didn’t […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Times

Steve Schale weighs in on what Florida Democrats should do for 2016

Mitch Perry Report for 6.10.15 — Game-changing developments?

Marco Rubio camp bristles after new story about his financial history surfaces

Mitch Perry Report for 2.4.15 — Hillary Clinton to rally base on voting issues

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

A round-up of Sunday editorials from Florida’s leading newspapers

Hillsborough County Commission picks Janet Dougherty as next EPC chief

Eric Ward confirmed by Tampa City Council as new police chief

Political writer Jeremy Wallace moves to Tampa Bay Times

New Tampa police chief says he’ll keep bike citation policy