Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

Thirty-eights years after Anita Bryant, Florida no longer officially bans gays from adopting children. Although it’s been legal for such couples to adopt since 2010, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law Thursday night that now makes that official. The issue roiled social conservatives in and outside of the Legislature this spring. The inclusion of […]

Mitch PerryMay 29, 2015

The St. Peteresburg City Council huddled for more than hours Thursday to settle … absolutely nothing regarding the impasse with the Tampa Bay Rays and the stadium situation. For a blow-by-blow account, check out my colleague Janelle Irwin’s account. While the Rays and the Council battle against each other, I’m going to take a look […]

Mitch PerryMay 1, 2015

If you were growing weary of reading Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota every day in your local sports pages for the past four months, Buc fans, congrats. Now you’ll just be reading about Winston every day up until football season begins. Let’s just hope for all concerned it’s only in the sports pages. Thursday night […]

Mitch PerryApril 6, 2015

It was a big Easter weekend full of news. The top local story is penned by Caitlin Johnston in the Tampa Bay Times regarding the treatment and working conditions at the Tampa Fire Department. Sort of embarrassing that a majority of the city’s fire stations still lack designated women’s bathrooms and private changing areas. Rolling […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 11, 2015

St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman announced plans Wednesday to expand one of the baseball fields at Walter Fuller Park into a small stadium used for International Baseball games and college games. The new stadium is intended to attract more baseball-related events to the area. “We believe that quality International and college baseball can serve as […]

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 PerryDecember 9, 2014

Finally. This morning St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has scheduled a news conference with officials from the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field to discuss the details of an agreement reached between the city and the Rays. That agreement will allow the team to go outside the city to search for new stadium sites in […]

Tag: Tropicana Field
U.S. District Court

Mitch Perry Report for 6.12.15 — On this LGBT issue, Florida and Rick Scott resist social conservative pressures

Mitch Perry Report for 5.29.15 — Rays stadium situation in St. Pete needs to change soon

Mitch Perry Report for 5.1.15 — On the so-called Fight of the Century

Mitch Perry Report for 4.6.15 — Play ball (a little quicker, please)

Rick Kriseman plans baseball stadium at Walter Fuller Park

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

Mitch Perry Report 12.9.14 – Finally, a breakthrough on the Rays stadium situation