Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 4, 2016

Want your state senator to support ride-booking legislation? Don’t worry, there’s a petition for that. On Thursday, Uber launched a statewide petition drive to urge Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the Florida Senate to pass ride-booking legislation. The push comes about a week after the Florida House passed a bill (HB 509) that creates […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 2, 2016

We’re on to New Hampshire, but first … Ted Cruz deserves plaudits for grinding out a great victory for himself in Iowa last night, but can he win enough delegates to earn the nomination? I maintain that he can’t and won’t, which makes Marco Rubio‘s strong third-place victory the big story going into the next […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2016

A local bill (HB 1439) to regulate ridesharing companies in Hillsborough County failed to earn unanimous approval from the entire local delegation late last year, but it sailed through the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee on Monday morning in Tallahassee. Tampa Republican Dana Young told the committee that the legislation was “substantially similar” to the major ridesharing […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 1, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives’ top lawyer cleared a member of its leadership team of any conflict of interest because he moonlights as an Uber driver. In a Jan. 26 memo, General Counsel Matthew Carson told Rules Committee chairman Ritch Workman, “It is my opinion that there is no prohibited conflict related to you regarding […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

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The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill regulating “transportation network companies” such as Uber and Lyft, and mandating insurance and other requirements. But the measure also includes a provision that may not find favor in the Senate: It vests regulatory power over the ride-booking services solely with the state, cutting out local bodies such […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 27, 2016

State lawmakers on Wednesday OK’d two bills aimed at improving literacy rates. Among other things, the House measure (HB 7021) requires teachers who teach retained third graders to hold a reading certificate and calls on the Department of Education to review certification. Included in the Senate proposal (SB 1068) are provisions that call on districts […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 26, 2016

The Jacksonville Vehicles for Hire subcommittee met Tuesday for the latest skirmish between the Uber/Lyft rideshare side and traditional taxicab companies. The agenda included “a discussion of the state legislation, a look at ordinances in other cities, a discussion on enforcement of city ordinances, and an open discussion on the issue.” The big takeaway was potentially […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 20, 2016

If one were a better person, the most likeliest general election matchup in the presidential race nine months from now would be Donald Trump vs. Hillary Clinton. That scenario may never happen, but based strictly on the polls, those two candidates lead their respective parties nationally. There could be an interesting debate about who might […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 19, 2016

A bill to set statewide insurance standards for drivers of ridesharing services advanced unanimously in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Tuesday. Unlike the bill moving through the Florida House sponsored by Republican Matt Gaetz, the Senate bill (SB 1118) sponsored by Altamonte Springs Republican Dave Simmons deals solely with the insurance requirements required for Transportation Network […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 15, 2016

Happy Friday, y’all. As we go into the NFL’s best weekend (and one of the greatest in all of professional sports) and reflect on the Oscar nominations (DiCaprio, Brie Larson and Stallone are locks, by the way, and though she won’t win, I’m all in for Alicia Vikander for Supporting Actress), Friday’s national story is […]

Tag: Uber

Uber launches petition drive to urge Senate to pass ride-booking legislation

Mitch Perry Report for 2.2.16 — Clinton 23 gets delegates, Sanders 21 in Iowa

House Committee approves Hillsborough ridesharing bill

House lawyer clears Ritch Workman of Uber conflict

House passes bill to regulate Uber, other ride-booking services

Capitol reax: Literacy initiatives, the Pastor Protection Act, Uber

Jax Vehicles for Hire panel considers stiffer penalties for rogue operators

Mitch Perry Report for 1.20.16 — Democratic Party establishment freaks out over Bernie Sanders

Senate panel OKs bill to establish state insurance standards for ride-share companies

Mitch Perry Report for 1.15.16 — Has the GOP contest wilted down to 2-and-a-half men?