Janelle Irwin Taylor, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 5, 2019

Removing party affiliation from several Hillsborough County elected positions might still be in play after a Florida Supreme Court decision upends what was once thought to be a done deal. Late in June, Hillsborough County Commissioners voted 5-2 to hold a referendum asking voters whether candidates for constitutional offices like Sheriff and Property appraiser should […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

A third candidate has entered the Tampa City Council District 4 race. South Tampa resident Lee Lowry filed to run Friday. Lowry seeks the seat currently held by Harry Cohen, who is term-limited and running for Mayor in the March election. Lowry joins Bill Carlson and Salvatore Guagliardo Jr. in the race. Lowry currently serves as lead fundraiser for the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority both filed defenses to a lawsuit seeking to overturn the one-percent transportation tax voters approved in November. Both entities argue, among other defenses, that Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White does not have legal standing to file the suit. White is seeking to overturn the voter-approved county […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

In the fight to maintain Hillsborough County’s recently enacted one-percent transportation sales tax, the All For Transportation campaign won its first legal battle. A Hillsborough County Circuit judge ruled Friday the group could defend the tax in a lawsuit seeking to overturn it. Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White sued the county, the three cities within […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

On Thursday, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he would award $2.5 million to the city of St. Petersburg to help combat climate change. Nevertheless, his organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, didn’t fully explain one significant question. Why St. Pete? Kelly Shultz, Bloomberg Philanthropies Climate Challenge project lead, said the Sunshine City met a number of […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 4, 2019

Longtime Tampa City Council member Charlie Miranda cleared up one major election question Thursday when he announced he would run for re-election to his citywide District 2 seat. Miranda’s decision means District 6 incumbent Guido Maniscalco avoided what could have been a difficult race to earn a second term in the Seminole Heights and Westshore district. Miranda […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

Former New York City Mayor and potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, through his philanthropic organization, is awarding the city of St. Petersburg $2.5 million to help combat the effects of climate change. Bloomberg announced Thursday that St. Pete will be the 20th city in the nation to win his American Cities Climate Challenge. “Fighting […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

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Former Hillsborough County Sheriff and retired state lawmaker Malcolm Beard died Wednesday. He was 99. The Sheriff’s office renamed its Operations Center after Beard in 2013. Beard joined the Tampa Police Department in the 1940s and was later elected constable for Hillsborough County in 1957. He served in that position until 1964 when he was […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

David Straz, the Tampa businessman and philanthropist running to succeed Bob Buckhorn as Tampa’s next Mayor, is standing behind Hillsborough County’s new transportation tax. But that’s a little different stance from when the initial petition came around. “I voted for the transit referendum, and if elected Mayor I will budget your money with honesty and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 3, 2019

St. Pete City Council will consider changes to its sustainability and resiliency ordinance approved in 2017 that would broaden its application and take into account potential conflicts with projects receiving state or federal funding. Under the city’s current ordinance, new construction and substantial renovations to city property require third-party sustainability and resiliency verification through LEED […]

Janelle Irwin Taylor
Kathleen King and Joe Gruters. Image via Max Goodman.

Florida Supreme Court could put Hillsborough nonpartisan races back in play

Local fundraising pro enters Tampa City Council race

HART, Hillsborough County say Stacy White has no right to challenge transportation tax

Judge rules All For Transportation can defend itself against Stacy White lawsuit

So why did Michael Bloomberg pick St. Pete for the $2.5M climate action plan?

Charlie Miranda decision spares incumbent, but throws new candidates for a loop

Michael Bloomberg awards St. Pete $2.5M to mitigate climate change

Former Hillsborough Sheriff and Florida lawmaker Malcolm Beard dead at 99

David Straz first quiet on transportation tax petition, now he vows to support it

With climate change in mind St. Pete plans update to sustainability policies