Tuesday, Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners will be looking at a request for a referendum on allowing slot machines, particularly at the Derby Lane greyhound race track. While officials from Derby Lane initiated the request for the County Commission, Commissioner Susan Latvala reported that Richard Winning, vice president of Derby Lane, isn’t sure that [...]

As Florida lawmakers toss terms such as “parent empowerment” and “teacher protection,” the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association wants to refocus the debate, reports the Gradebook. The union plans to rally at two major Pinellas intersections — N. McMullen-Booth Rd. at State Road 580 in Clearwater, and 38th Avenue North at 4th Street in St. Petersburg – at 4 [...]

The current race for Clearwater mayor has always been cast as a David-and-Goliath contest between a well-known candidate and an underdog. But campaign finance reports released Friday make it clear just how wide a gap there is. The lesser-known candidate, political newcomer Christine Marketos-Cuomo, has raised about $1,300 from supporters. Her opponent George Cretekos has [...]

Joe Barkley has returned his supporters’ campaign contributions.  He doesn’t need the money because he won‘t be running for reelection.  Two incumbents, Barkley and Taylor Shimkus, filed for the two open seats on the Belleair Bluffs City commission.  No election is needed.  According to city clerk Debra Sullivan, they’re both in, saving the city an [...]

The Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee passed HB 1207 Autonomous Vehicle Technology by State Representative Jeff Brandes. The bill, which provides the mechanism to regulate autonomous vehicle technology, puts Florida law ahead of the technology curve, allowing for the safe testing and operation of self-driving vehicles in Florida. “I am thankful for the support of [...]

Senate Bill 1274, sponsored by Jack Latvala, passed the Senate Commerce Committee and has moved forward to the Budget Committee for further consideration. SB 1274 authorizes local communities to use part of the “bed tax” already paid by tourists for local facilities like aquariums. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium anticipates 250,000 visitors annually generating $8 million [...]

Two decades after voters said “eight is enough” for state lawmakers, a House proposal could lead to term limits for sheriffs, tax collectors and other county officials in many parts of the state, reports Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida. The House Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday narrowly approved a proposed [...]

How to divide up Tampa Bay’s congressional seats is a major point of contention between the Florida House’s and Senate’s redistricting maps, according to an analysis of the latest maps approved by the respective legislative bodies. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Reapportionment passed Joint Resolution 1176 outlining its congressional redistricting plan.  According to this legislation, [...]

What a wonderful day to run a blog. There’s Rick Scott’s State of the State speech, the New Hampshire primary and, not to be overlooked, the release of fundraising reports for the fourth quarter of 2011. Here are some interesting news and notes (as they come in) from the latest fundraising reports from Tampa Bay [...]

Rebuilding continues in the Pinellas school district communications office with two new hires – including another with St. Petersburg Times ties – and two more on the way. Pending school board approval, Debbie Wolfe is the new assistant director of  strategic communications and Melanie Marquez is the new public information officer. Wolfe, 56, was the technology training editor [...]