Tampa Bay

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 […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 7, 2019

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s Board of Directors narrowed its list of potential CEOs to four during a meeting Monday. The short list includes one internal applicant and others from Jacksonville, Atlanta and Lexington, Kentucky. The board’s internal candidate is HART Chief Administrative Officer and Chief of Staff Kenyatta Lee. “As an internal candidate, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 7, 2019

Nicholas Glover is swapping City Council races to District 3 — the seat currently held by Yolie Capin — after District 2 incumbent Charlie Miranda filed for re-election. Both seats are citywide. Glover had initially filed for the District 2 seat, anticipating Miranda would run against Guido Maniscalco in his single-member district. Miranda has been […]

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 […]

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

Hillsborough transit agency eyes new CEO to effectively manage new transit tax revenue

Nicholas Glover won’t challenge Charlie Miranda; swaps race to open District 3

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