Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschMarch 28, 2018

States that embrace short-term rentals and other segments of the burgeoning “sharing economy” tend to be better innovation incubators than states that don’t, according to new research from a consumer electronics trade group. The Consumer Technology Association, the trade group that puts on the annual International Consumer Electronics Show, included a category on state policies […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 27, 2018

Philip Levine, former mayor of Miami Beach, holds the ideology that local governments should be in charge. And if he’s elected to the statewide office of Governor, he said those beliefs won’t change. Tailing off a suggested early lead in the four-way Democratic gubernatorial primary, Levine spoke Tuesday to Tallahassee’s Tiger Bay Club, a group […]

Staff ReportsMarch 12, 2018

After the Legislature passed an $88.7 billion budget Sunday, Florida Realtors are heaping praise on lawmakers for including $31 million in cuts to the business rent tax and $110 million for affordable housing projects. “I’m so proud of our membership for responding to our call for action to cut the business rent tax,” said Bill Martin, […]

Scott PowersFebruary 22, 2018

The vacation rentals deregulation bill cleared its first stop in the Florida House of Representatives Thursday with a close approval won in the House Government Accountability Committee. House Bill 773, sponsored by St. Cloud Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa, now heads toward the commerce committee in this year’s legislative efforts to roll back and […]

Scott PowersFebruary 12, 2018

Orlando city officials took one of the biggest steps of any Florida city in recent years to ease laws that restrict vacation rentals, approving an ordinance Monday to allow owner-occupied rentals in single-family residential zones. The move, approved 6-1, takes effect July 1, ending what has effectively been a 26-year ban on vacation rental homes […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 12, 2018

Vacation rental business Airbnb collected and remitted $45.7 million in tax revenue for Florida and local governments across the Sunshine State last year, more than double what it collected in 2016. “In 2015, Airbnb collaborated with the Florida Department of Revenue on a historic agreement allowing the company to collect and remit the state sales […]

Scott PowersFebruary 8, 2018

A bill to once again roll back local regulation of vacation rental homes got approval Thursday from the Florida Senate Committee on Regulated Industries, its second committee success. The bill, a committee substitute that combined Senate Bills 1400 and 1640 introduced by Republican state Sens. Greg Steube and David Simmons, drew a long list of […]

Scott PowersJanuary 30, 2018

Airbnb is heading back to the airwaves this week to remind people that someone considers Haiti, El Salvador and all of Africa to be a bunch of “shithole countries” but that the vacation rental marketing company knows some people who’d like to show otherwise. “Let’s open doors not build walls,” declares a new TV commercial […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 30, 2018

I recently traveled to Tallahassee to represent the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FL VRMA), and an industry which has become a vital part of Florida’s tourism economy, at Tourism Day at the Capitol. There, I had the opportunity to listen to an encouraging speech given by Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) President and […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 17, 2018

It’s always nice to get away. No matter how much you enjoy your job, a vacation is a chance to relax with family and friends, experience new cultures and places, or check off an item on your bucket list. The wonder of Florida travel means the tourism and hospitality industry will always have a vital […]

Tag: Airbnb
Aleksandar Vucic Image via AP

Florida short-term rental policies hurt innovation, trade group says

Philip Levine: Minimum wage, vacation rentals should be local decisions

Florida Realtors laud lawmakers for cutting business rent tax

House vacation rentals bill clears Government Accountability Committee

Orlando City Council votes to allow home sharing vacation rentals

Airbnb collected $45M in Florida tax revenue in 2017

Vacation rentals bill approved by Senate Regulated Industries Committee

Airbnb seeking equal time for the beauty of its ‘sh*thole countries’ destinations

Jennifer Frankenstein-Harris: Vacation rentals support tourism

Amanda Pedigo: Traditional vacation rentals part of Florida tourism DNA