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.
Joe Biden to campaign with Gillum, Nelson & other Democrats in Florida next week
By: Mitch Perry - October 19, 2018
With early voting beginning in several Florida counties on Monday, former Vice-President Joe Biden will make three campaign appearances in Florida early next week with Democrats up and down the ballot – with two of those appearance on college campuses. Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, attorney general Sean Shaw and Pinellas-area U.S. […]
New study says Florida has the 3rd most unfair state and local tax system in US
By: Mitch Perry - October 19, 2018
Florida is the third largest state in the country, and according to a new report, has the third-most unfair state and local tax system in the U.S. That data comes from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a nonpartisan, nonprofit tax policy organization. Florida is one of nine states in the country without […]
Mayors score a victory in court battle over the NRA-backed state law which blocks local firearm regulations
By: Mitch Perry - October 18, 2018
A Leon County judge ruled Thursday that a lawsuit over whether local officials have the right to pass gun laws in their towns and cities can go forward. The state of Florida and top state officials are trying to keep local gun regulation from happening, amid the Florida Legislature having passed one of the nation’s […]
Another out-of-state billionaire donates big in Florida governor’s race
By: Mitch Perry - October 18, 2018
California philanthropist Tom Steyer has sent another $2 million to Democrat Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign. Earlier this month, the political committee for Gillum’s Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, received a $5 million contribution from Kenneth C. Griffin, a wealthy Chicago hedge fund manager. Steyer, an environmental activist and billionaire whose main vehicle for social action, NextGen […]
Florida Attorney General Bondi calls on Gillum to disavow supporter who made offensive video
By: Mitch Perry - October 18, 2018
A controversial new satire video from rapper T.I. depicts a look-alike of First Lady Melania Trump stripping in the Oval Office. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi says it is offensive, and she is publicly calling on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum to denounce the video and the rapper himself, who is backing the Tallahassee mayor’s […]
Dems say if Scott gets elected to US Senate, Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security in danger
By: Mitch Perry - October 17, 2018
A day after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said America’s massive debt problem is driven by obligations to fund Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, Florida Democrats and activists blasted the comments and asked if Governor Rick Scott feels the same way. “Social Security and Medicare did not cause the deficit in this country, and […]
Central Florida college adjunct professors latest to unionize in Sunshine State
By: Mitch Perry - October 17, 2018
The statewide movement that has adjunct college and university professors forming new unions to fight for better pay and benefits grew a little Tuesday. Adjunct faculty at Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford voted to form a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Faculty Forward. They join adjunct colleagues who have formed […]
Joe Biden endorses Sean Shaw for Attorney General in Florida
By: Mitch Perry - October 16, 2018
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is backing Tampa state Rep. Sean Shaw in the race for Florida Attorney General. Biden called Shaw “a fighter, with a proven track record of standing up for the little guy and taking on corporate interests.” Shaw is running in an extremely competitive contest against Republican Ashley Moody, a former Hillsborough […]
The governor candidates aren’t mentioning it much, but a woman’s right to choose is now a major campaign issue
By: Mitch Perry - October 16, 2018
The race to succeed Rick Scott as governor in Florida has at times veered into issues that are more likely to be addressed in Washington D.C. than in Tallahassee. Republican candidate Ron DeSantis talks about immigration and Democrat Andrew Gillum touts Medicare-for-all. It’s unlikely that either man would have much influence carrying out those policies […]
Andrew Gillum says in the wake of the storm, it may be time to review building codes again
By: Mitch Perry - October 15, 2018
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum said Monday that in the wake of Hurricane Michael’s devastation, it might be time to review the building codes in that part of the state. “I’ve seen some of the homes in Mexico Beach where you’ve got homes that have basically stood intact. What I would be curious about is, […]
Southern Poverty Law Center launches $1.3 million get-out-the-vote effort in Florida
By: Mitch Perry - October 15, 2018
The Southern Poverty Law Center announced Monday that it is spending $1.3 million on get-out the-vote efforts leading up to the November 6 election. “This is one of the most important elections in our lifetime and the SPLC wants to ensure that Floridians are engaged on the issues that will impact our state’s future and […]
Political debates postponed due to hurricane recovery
By: Mitch Perry - October 15, 2018
Curious voters who want to see gubernatorial candidates Ron DeSantis and Andrew Gillum finally debate during this election cycle are going to have to wait a few more days, thanks to the impact of Hurricane Michael. Gillum announced over the weekend that due to the damage that the storm unleashed on his home city, the […]