Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschNovember 28, 2017

Is Florida ready to tackle poverty for a more prosperous future? That’s the subject of a new Florida Chamber of Commerce summit to address the extent of poverty — and possible solutions — throughout the Sunshine State. Starting Tuesday in Tampa, the Chamber’s inaugural “Less Poverty, Through More Prosperity Summit” features members of the business, […]

Peter SchorschNovember 28, 2017

A word of warning for Florida Democrats in 2018; be cautious about eyeing Pinellas County Sen. Jeff Brandes’ District 24 seat. After the somewhat surprising success of Rick Kriseman, who edged out former mayor Rick Baker, Florida Democrats are starting to think a “blue wave” will give them a legitimate shot at Brandes, the incumbent […]

Ana CeballosNovember 15, 2017

Some Florida lawmakers say that seeing the positive impact of criminal justice reform efforts in other states has given them new impetus to push for measures that aim to reduce the state’s prison population by giving sentences that “fit a just result.” The early bipartisan undertaking to reform the state’s criminal justice system — an […]

Peter SchorschNovember 15, 2017

There’s nothing more aggravating than seeing the Legislature finally do the right thing, only to see local authorities attempt to undermine that progress. Take, for instance, the maddening example of Florida airports and the extra fees they tack on when travelers try to leave the airport property. Since the Legislature passed uniform regulations for ridesharing […]

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2017

Katharine Eagan, as head of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority, is receiving praise for embracing new technologies during her three-year tenure at the Tampa Bay area’s most significant transit agency, despite a limited budget. Now scheduled to depart the region next year for a similar job in Pittsburgh (with higher pay and more funding), the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 14, 2017

The fifth annual Florida Automated Vehicles Summit began Monday night in Tampa with officials arriving from across the country to discuss the latest development in the cutting-edge industry. Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) CEO Joe Waggoner said the first conference, held in 2013, strictly focused on automated vehicles, but that it’s so much more now. “The […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 13, 2017

Traffic gridlock is the present for major Florida cities, but does it have to be the future? A bill (“the Florida Smart City Challenge Grant Program”) filed Monday in the Florida Legislature would offer state grant money, via the Florida Department of Transportation, as incentive for local solutions to transportation challenges. The House iteration, HB 633, was […]

Drew WilsonNovember 7, 2017

A pair of Republican state lawmakers filed bills Tuesday to strengthen a 2016 law capping contracts between Florida governments and companies that support the anti-Israel “Boycott, Divestiture, and Sanctions” movement. Current law allows Florida municipal governments to do up to $1 million of business each year with anti-Israel companies, but the 2018 measures, HB 545 […]

Ana CeballosNovember 5, 2017

After six women anonymously accused Sen. Jack Latvala of sexually harassing and groping them, at least five women who have worked closely with the powerful senator have come to his defense. The allegations against Latvala, a Republican candidate for governor who turned 66 Friday, range from him grabbing a female lobbyist’s buttocks to making unsolicited […]

Mitch PerryOctober 30, 2017

(UPDATE) Before the 2017 Legislative Session, a number of Florida lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — talked a good game on criminal justice reform. Nevertheless, they fell far short on a number of fronts. But there’s always next year, which is why Democratic state Rep. Ben Diamond of St. Petersburg is proposing legislation (HB 481) to […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes

Florida Chamber tackles poverty with inaugural Prosperity Summit

A warning for Democrats eyeing Jeff Brandes’ SD 24 seat in 2018

Lawmakers champion efforts to reform criminal justice system

Ridesharing legislation is bringing us to the future, so why are airports still stuck in the past?

HART shows off inaugural driverless shuttle coming to Tampa next year

‘The Jetsons’ is now: Automated vehicles summit kicks off in Tampa

‘Smart Cities’ grant would incentivize local transportation innovation

Jeff Brandes, Randy Fine file bills to slash state contracts with anti-Israel companies

Jack Latvala allies come to his defense after sexual harassment claims

Ben Diamond wants to unshackle judges from minimum drug sentencing