Tampa Bay

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 11, 2018

The judge named to preside over a lawsuit against several local governments and constitutional offices that will receive revenue from the recently approved transportation sales tax will make the ultimate decision whether she takes the case. Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Laurel Lee was assigned to hear Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White’s lawsuit aiming to overturn the […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 11, 2018

In a major upset, Pinellas County Democratic Party Chair Susan McGrath lost to former chef Barbara Scott during a party meeting Monday night. Scott won with nearly two-thirds 0f the vote. McGrath’s publicly facing campaign to hold onto her chairmanship seemed to be going well. She was rolling in endorsements from elected Democrats in Pinellas County […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 10, 2018

Ed Turanchik is the only actively campaigning Tampa Mayoral candidate who did not condemn Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White’s decision to file a lawsuit against the county and other governments and agencies within the county over the All For Transportation referendum raising sales tax 1 percent to fund transit and transportation improvements. Voters approved that referendum […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 10, 2018

The St. Petersburg City Council will vote to officially name the new pier “The St. Pete Pier,” and provide three terms for different portions of the overwater and adjoining attractions, during a meeting Thursday. The city has been referring to the new pier for more than a year as The St. Pete Pier or new […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 10, 2018

The St. Petersburg City Council will consider a conditional ban on plastic straws and single-use plastic foam containers. The council will take up the proposed ban at its meeting Thursday. The ordinance would regulate straws in all food establishments citywide and ban polystyrene to-go containers in establishments on city-owned property or rights of way. The […]

Peter SchorschDecember 8, 2018

Former police chief Jane Castor and businessman David Straz each unleashed a slate of endorsements from local associations and leaders Friday as the race to succeed Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn heats up. Castor’s crop included former police chiefs Steve Hogue and Bennie Holder, former assistant police chiefs Bob Guidara and Mary O’Connor as well as […]

Drew WilsonDecember 6, 2018

Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill filed a lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board alleging they broke the law by voting twice in an employee termination hearing. An employee at the county’s children’s services department who works with teenagers attended a birthday party for one of the teens he works with back in March. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 5, 2018

Hillsborough County now has a funding framework in place to fund half of a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the team has yet to say whether or not they are willing to play ball. The plan would leverage private investment to avoid taxpayer subsidies. If the team rejects the deal, there […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 5, 2018

Hillsborough County is moving forward with plans to appoint four members to the transportation sales tax oversight committee despite a lawsuit questioning the validity of the new charter amendment voters approved in November. The commission voted Wednesday to begin exploring options for appointees including advertising the positions broadly online and in the media and allowing […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 5, 2018

Trustees at the University of South Florida approved the search requirements Tuesday for a new system president to replace Judy Genshaft who is retiring July 1. The board approved qualifications to seek a new university leader with a robust academic background, a feature requested from students and faculty since Genshaft announced her retirement earlier this […]

Tampa Bay
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Transportation tax critic’s wife could decide not to recuse herself

Former chef Barbara Scott takes out Susan McGrath as top Pinellas Democrat

Tampa mayoral candidates blast Stacy White over transportation tax lawsuit … except one

City Council expected to make ’St. Pete Pier‘ name official

St. Petersburg considering ban on plastic foam containers, plastic straws

Jane Castor, David Straz roll out dueling endorsements in Tampa mayor race

Hillsborough Civil Service Board sued over slap-dash sacking, reinstatement

Ybor City Rays stadium deal has a funding plan, but it might not be enough

Hillsborough County moves forward with transportation tax implementation despite lawsuit

Judy Genshaft’s successor at USF to be an academic