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Staff ReportsMay 30, 2018

The first line of the press release says it all: “Florida’s biggest casino is getting even bigger.” The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa on Wednesday announced “a nearly $700 million expansion … with 5,000 slot machines and almost 200 gaming tables,” the release said. Work should be completed by mid-2019. “The expanded casino […]

Peter SchorschMay 20, 2018

Hundreds of people – including U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Congressman Charlie Crist – held hands on Florida beaches Saturday in protest of proposed nearshore oil drilling. “Hands Across the Sand” was held in Pinellas County, one of nearly 120 events taking place on beaches nationwide. The annual protest first started during the Deepwater Horizon […]

Scott PowersMay 14, 2018

Republican Gov. Rick Scott‘s U.S. Senate campaign is launching a new Spanish-language commercial touting his efforts on behalf of Puerto Rico and providing praise for him from Puerto Rican Floridians. The 30-second spot, “Presente,” is running on Spanish TV stations in Tampa and Orlando as part of what the campaign describes as a “major ad […]

Peter SchorschMay 14, 2018

Congresswoman Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, says she “led efforts” by the bipartisan Tampa Bay Congressional Delegation to include funding for MacDill Air Force Base. The National Defense Authorization Act cleared the U.S. House Armed Services Committee last Thursday. “Castor also championed other investments for our military, their families and our community, including a boost […]

Peter SchorschMay 11, 2018

It’s Jane Castor‘s city. The rest of y’all are just living in it. That’s the reality of the campaign to succeed Bob Buckhorn as Tampa’s next mayor according to the first poll conducted since all five of expected major candidates filed to run. Castor, the city’s former police chief, dominates the rest of the field, […]

Peter SchorschMay 7, 2018

It’s time once again to rank Tampa Bay’s most powerful politicians. I am asking several of the leading political consultants, activists, bloggers, operatives and local lobbyists to provide a list of who they consider the 25 most powerful pols in the region. For the purposes of this experiment, the Tampa Bay region is defined as […]

Phil AmmannApril 19, 2018

Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor has entered the race for Tampa mayor in 2019. The announcement came early Thursday morning along with invitations to like a new Facebook page “Jane Castor for Mayor.” Invites came from Castor’s longtime partner, Tampa-based lobbyist and political analyst Ana Cruz. Cruz is the daughter of Florida House Minority Leader […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2018

Has the ol’ Ronda Storms magic lost its spark? Too soon to tell. Three candidates have filed for central Hillsborough’s HD 59, which is opening up early due to Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano’s Attorney General aspirations. Republican Joe Wicker leads with just shy of $30,000. He has $27,500 banked, including $4,000 in candidate loans. […]

Scott PowersApril 10, 2018

All four leading Democratic candidates for governor will be appearing in a debate hosted and broadcast by WTVT in Tampa next week, the station confirmed Tuesday. WTVT, part of the FOX Television Stations network, will host the half-hour forum at 6:30 p.m. on April 18 featuring Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, former […]

Peter SchorschApril 9, 2018

It’s your move, House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz. She’s term-limited in the House this year, and is – for now – set to run for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission. But there’s word she will drop her bid for county commission and run for state Senate District 18. That would mean, assuming she clears […]

Tag: Tampa

Seminole Tribe announces $700M expansion at Hard Rock Tampa

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 5.20.18

Rick Scott’s Spanish commercial pushes his Puerto Rico cred

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing about Tampa Bay politics — 5.14.18

New poll shows Jane Castor dominating rest of the field in race to succeed Bob Buckhorn

Not Just A Body Of Water — A briefing on Tampa Bay politics – 5.7.18

Jane Castor enters race for Tampa Mayor in 2019

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 4.13.18

Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate set for WTVT in Tampa

Not Just A Body Of Water — A newsletter about Tampa Bay politics — 4.9.18