Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 20, 2015

It’s not often Marco Rubio gets chastised by Barbara Boxer about being anti-business, but when it comes to the volatile issue of Cuba, traditional ideologies seem to collapse. The exchange between the Florida Republican and California Democrat took place Wednesday morning during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Cuba, where U.S. diplomats are to […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road to this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 – which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” – […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Though ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy. Companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue […]

Ryan RayMarch 23, 2015

A bill creating insurance requirements for short-term rental and transportation network companies — bywords for industry leaders Airbnb and Uber, respectively — passed the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee Monday afternoon, though not without an airing of grievances about some practices within the “disruptive” ride-sharing business. Altamonte Sen. David Simmons, an influential member of the Republican majority […]

Guest AuthorMarch 15, 2015

FDOT’s recent announcement of their plans to expand Florida’s Turnpike in Palm Beach County brought to mind something my father often said: “Bigness is the problem.” When agencies grow too large, they function like massive cruise ships – great at moving forward, but so poor at changing course they need tug boats to help them. […]

Ryan RayMarch 1, 2015

What does it mean to own property? Are app-based lodging and transportation services showing the way toward an enlightened age of the Sharing Economy or simply enabling a kindler, gentler gentrification? Can I crash at your parents’ house in Boca for 70 bucks a night? As Airbnb expands its presence in Florida, such are the stakes in […]

Tag: Airbnb
Image via Jeff Witt campaign

Barbara Boxer takes Marco Rubio to task about where Americans stay in Cuba

Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate

Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb

Uber, Airbnb insurance requirements OK’d by Senate panel

Timothy Hullihan: Wrong-way thinking drives Turnpike expansion

2015 Legislative Session Preview: Will Airbnb make itself at home in Florida?