Tampa Bay

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 10, 2019

With much of the local media’s political focus right now on Tampa’s hyper-competitive mayoral race, it’s easy to forget there’s another municipal race this year that could have implications both locally and regionally. Four St. Petersburg City Council races are on the ballot this August and of those, two are for open seats. That means […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 10, 2019

Hot on the heels of what is likely to be the only televised Tampa mayoral debate, candidate David Straz announced a fiscal plan for the city unlike any that have been proposed by the other candidates. If elected, Straz said he will conduct a full audit of city government to ensure transparency and integrity. “I […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 10, 2019

Tampa’s mayoral candidates heated up the stage in what turned out to be a feisty televised debate hosted by Bay News 9 Wednesday night. In stark contrast to previous campaign forums, there were moments where candidates were not afraid to throw shade at their opponents and dredge up past blemishes on professional resumes. All seven […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

On the day felons started registering under Florida’s newly approved Amendment 4, voter rolls in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties swelled by a considerable amount — more than 400 voters each. According to Supervisor of Elections offices, Hillsborough registered 434 people, Pinellas added 438. Under Amendment 4, overwhelmingly approved by voters last November, nonviolent felons previously barred from […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

Stephen Lytle saved himself some cash in the Tampa City Council District 3 race Wednesday, qualifying by ballot petition. The local activist and neighborhood association president is only the second of 36 filed candidates who have done so. Candidates in Tampa municipal races have the option of either paying to qualify, or getting enough petition […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp wants to use $10 million of the county’s sales tax contingency fund as a fiscal guarantee for the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority so that agency may purchase eight electric buses before the end of the year. The board directed county staff to work with HART to craft an interlocal […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

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Scott Orsini is launching a bid for St. Pete City Council, the first to file for the seat currently held by Council Chair Charlie Gerdes. “I’m running for City Council because I want to serve my community and make St. Pete an even better city,” the St. Petersburg lawyer said in an announcement Wednesday. Gerdes is term-limited […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 9, 2019

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors heard from internationally acclaimed transit planner Jarrett Walker as members begin to look forward to an agency with vastly more buying power than it has ever had before. Agency leaders met with Walker privately after the public meeting to talk about potentially hiring him as a consultant, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 8, 2019

Congressman Charlie Crist joined several ex-felons to register to vote Tuesday morning at the downtown St. Petersburg Supervisor of Elections office opened. It was the first day qualifying former offenders could register. Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 4 last November, which automatically restores nonviolent ex-felons’ right to vote as long as they have fully paid their […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 7, 2019

Tampa mayoral candidate Ed Turanchik unveiled his “Go Plan” for transit improvements within the city Monday. In all, Turanchik’s plan includes 44 miles of exclusive transit and bikeway corridors, 72 miles of new transit, 63 miles of water transit and 107 total miles of congestion-proof land and water transit. The proposed routes focus on dense […]

Tampa Bay
Images via Florida Politics.

Another political race? What to expect from this year’s St. Pete City Council contests

David Straz would conduct complete city audit, rolls out another endorsement

Transportation, not-so-subtle digs, baseball dominate Tampa mayoral forum

Amendment 4 hints at wave of new voters in Hillsborough, Pinellas

Stephen Lytle saves cash, qualifies for Tampa Council race by petition

Hillsborough County’s choice: Spend $10 million on new buses or not?

Game on: Scott Orsini files first for Charlie Gerdes St. Pete Council seat

Hillsborough agency considers bringing on transit guru as consultant

Charlie Crist cheers ex-felons who will now be able to vote

Ed Turanchik announces ‘Go Plan’ to boost Tampa transit