Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJanuary 27, 2015

The Tampa Bay Times alienated some of it readership and certainly surprised many others last fall when it editorialized against Amendment Two. That was the medical marijuana initiative being proposed in Florida some 18 years after California became the first state in the nation to legalize the herb for medicinal purposes. The editorial called the substance of the […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2015

The Hillsborough County School Board’s unceremonious dumping of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia reverberates three days after the fact. In today’s Times, Ernest Hooper bemoans the fact that Sally Harris, the swing vote that went against Elia on Tuesday night leading to her ouster, beat big-time establishment pick Michelle Shimberg in the District 2 race last November, and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 23, 2015

The Hillsborough County School Board’s unceremonious dumping of Superintendent MaryEllen Elia reverberates three days after the fact. In today’s Times, Ernest Hooper bemoans the fact that Sally Harris, the swing vote that went against Elia on Tuesday night leading to her ouster, beat big-time establishment pick Michelle Shimberg in the District 2 race last November, and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2015

Marc Caputo, arguably the best political reporter in Florida, is leaving the Miami Herald to go work for Politico. That news came this morning via Politico’s Mike Allen in his Playbook column. Quoting from an email from editor Susan Glasser, Caputo will write a daily Florida Playbook, “as well as leveraging his unique knowledge and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 22, 2015

Marc Caputo, arguably the best political reporter in Florida, is leaving the Miami Herald to go work for Politico. That news came this morning via Politico’s Mike Allen in his Playbook column. Quoting from an email from editor Susan Glasser, Caputo will write a daily Florida Playbook, “as well as leveraging his unique knowledge and […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2015

As more calls for an independent investigation regarding the sacking of former FDLE chief Gerald Bailey grow, Rick Scott tried to stay on message today during an appearance in Tampa. After making an announcement regarding new funding for STEM education at Chromalloy, a global technology company located in Tampa’s Sabal Park just east from the […]

Dan GelberJanuary 20, 2015

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Baileygate took a foul turn Sunday from bad political optics to something much more ominous. And the Florida Cabinet and Legislature need to respond accordingly. Longtime cop and FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey was fired by Gov. Rick Scott staffers last month. Initially it was reported that during his reelection campaign, Scott political campaign staffers had […]

Dan GelberJanuary 19, 2015

Baileygate took a foul turn Sunday from bad political optics to something much more ominous. And the Florida Cabinet and Legislature need to respond accordingly. Longtime cop and FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey was fired by Gov. Rick Scott staffers last month. Initially it was reported that during his reelection campaign, Scott political campaign staffers had […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 15, 2015

A new scandal exploded across Tallahassee on Tuesday afternoon after Gov. Rick Scott admitted that Gerald Bailey did not voluntarily resign as commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but was forced out against his will. Under Florida law, the governor cannot fire the head of FDLE without the support of at least one other member […]

Mitch PerryDecember 29, 2014

Tis the season for year-end lists, so here’s this reporter’s take on the 10 biggest/most interesting developments over the past year in Tampa Bay/Florida politics. 1 – The Florida Democratic Party hits rock bottom. There are a number of reasons why Rick Scott beat Charlie Crist, and the Crist camp’s notion that the $12 million […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Times
This exhibit celebrates late-blooming artistry, proving it’s never too late for bold creativity.

Mitch Perry Report for 1.27.15 — The politics of pot returns to Florida

Mitch Perry Report for 1.23.15 — Popular (if not elite) opinion on MaryEllen Elia’s ouster isn’t monolithic

Mitch Perry Report for 1.23.15 — Popular (if not elite) opinion on MaryEllen Elia's ouster isn't monolithic

The Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo moves to Politico

The Miami Herald's Marc Caputo moves to Politico

In Tampa, Rick Scott feels the heat as the Gerald Bailey controversy grows

Dan Gelber: Baileygate takes an ominous turn

Dan Gelber: Baileygate takes an ominous turn

Peter Schorsch: What’s the Scott administration going to do about Bailey’s firing?

A look back at the year in news in Tampa Bay