Author

Mitch Perry has covered politics and government in Florida for more than two decades. Most recently he is the former politics reporter for Bay News 9. He has also worked at Florida Politics, Creative Loafing and WMNF Radio in Tampa. He was also part of the original staff when the Florida Phoenix was created in 2018.
Kamala Harris makes her case for the youth vote in appearance at FIU in Miami
By: Mitch Perry - September 29, 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris told thousands of college students and others in Miami Thursday that the country is witnessing “an intentional full-on attack against hard won freedoms and rights,” and they need to respond by going to the ballot box next year. “It is incumbent on us then to not passively sit by and let […]
Former ACLU-FL legal director Nancy Abudu to begin service on Eleventh Circuit
By: Mitch Perry - September 28, 2023
Nancy Abudu, former legal director for the ACLU of Florida, will be installed as a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on Friday in Atlanta. In doing so, she will make history as the first Black woman to serve on that court. Abudu, 49, was nominated to the court by […]
At GOP debate, DeSantis stumbled on health care question and was criticized by his opponents
By: Mitch Perry - September 28, 2023
On the campaign trail and now in both Republican presidential debates, Gov. Ron DeSantis frequently boasts about his vast achievements as governor of Florida since he entered the office in 2019. But DeSantis appeared absolutely flatfooted on Wednesday night in Simi Valley, California, when he was asked during the GOP debate by Fox News Business […]
Canteen prices rise in Florida prisons, impacting inmates and their loved ones
By: Mitch Perry - September 27, 2023
In the last couple of years, inflation and food prices have been high as Americans go to the grocery store. But for inmates in Florida prisons, prices have gone up even higher when it comes to purchasing food, drinks, health aids, toiletries and other goods at the canteen, or commissary, of the institutions they’re housed […]
FL gambling interests want FL Supreme Court to stop sports betting pact
By: Mitch Perry - September 26, 2023
Florida companies with gambling interests are calling on the Florida Supreme Court to issue a “writ of quo warranto,” saying Gov. Ron DeSantis and top legislative leaders exceeded their powers in granting the Seminole Tribe of Florida the exclusive rights to offer off-reservation online and-in person sports betting in Florida in 2021. Now, those gaming […]
DeSantis set to debate California’s Gavin Newsom in Georgia in late November
By: Mitch Perry - September 25, 2023
After weeks of negotiations, a 90-minute debate between Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom hosted by Fox News’ Sean Hannity will take place on the Fox News Channel on November 30 in Georgia. The specific location has not been announced yet. Hannity hosted Newsom on his Fox program back in […]
DeSantis supporter says 2nd GOP presidential debate is the time to go ‘on the offense’ vs. Trump
By: Mitch Perry - September 25, 2023
The second debate among the Republican presidential contenders for 2024 takes place Wednesday night in Southern California, with President Donald Trump again absent from the festivities. That said, it’s another huge moment for Gov. Ron DeSantis and his presidential candidacy to use the prime-time forum to distinguish himself from the competition. While DeSantis was considered […]
Howard Simon returns, tries to right ‘the good deal of turmoil’ inside the FL ACLU
By: Mitch Perry - September 25, 2023
There’s been tumult inside the ACLU of Florida, the preeminent civil liberties group that has been defending civil rights of individuals in the courts, the Legislature, and the streets of Florida for nearly 60 years. A series of events this spring and summer have shaken the nonprofit, with numerous board members ousted, an executive director […]
Maxwell Frost joins President Biden at WH announcement on Office of Gun Violence Prevention
By: Mitch Perry - September 22, 2023
Six months after Orlando freshman Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost filed legislation to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, President Joe Biden made that a reality on Friday as he announced the creation of that office during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House. Biden said that the office will have four […]
CFO Jimmy Patronis continues his attacks on the IRS
By: Mitch Perry - September 21, 2023
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been attacking the Internal Revenue Service for the past couple of months now, a safe political move against a historically unpopular federal agency. The issue at hand this week is something that he deems an “existential threat” to Floridians and the state economy. That would be a tax […]
In FL, “Hope Cards” could help law enforcement and domestic violence survivors
By: Mitch Perry - September 20, 2023
Survivors of domestic violence would be able to carry “Hope Cards” that provide information about any protective court orders they have obtained, if new legislation passes in the upcoming Florida Legislature. The Hope Card would be issued by the Office of the State Courts Administrator and must be a durable, laminated, wallet-size card which would […]
FL law enforcement agencies endorse U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in his bid for reelection next year
By: Mitch Perry - September 18, 2023
The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) announced Monday that they are endorsing U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s reelection campaign, the second big endorsement from a Florida-based law enforcement organization for Scott going into next year’s U.S. Senate election. In July, 59 of the state’s 67 sheriffs announced that they were backing the incumbent senator in the […]