Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Bob SparksDecember 22, 2014

The 2008 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays may be on their way out of Florida. A move is not imminent, but recent events increase the odds that Miami may eventually be the only remaining Major League Baseball team in the long term. Last week in a 5-3 vote, the St. Petersburg City Council voted […]

Mitch PerryNovember 20, 2014

Some random thoughts and observations, hours before President Obama probably melts down the conservative Twitterverse with his Executive Action on immigration in his prime-time address later tonight…. Congrats to the Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Kruse, the gifted wordsmith who will be taking his talents to the Beltway and write for Politico, along with editor Bill […]

Martin DyckmanNovember 6, 2014

It can no longer be said that the country is going to hell. We have arrived. The worst disappointment isn’t the re-election of the kleptocrat Rick Scott, or U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan’s defeat by a Koch stooge in North Carolina, or even the fact that Ted Cruz is now running amok in a Senate majority. […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Times

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

Bob Sparks: St. Pete plays hardball. Could Rays be on way out of Florida?

Mitch Perry Report 11.20.14

Martin Dyckman: This is what’s worse: Now we auction our government to the highest bidders