Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryOctober 6, 2015

Unlike some of her contemporaries, Tampa House Republican Dana Young isn’t looking to eliminate the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. But she’s less than pleased with the agency upon learning that they recently purchased space in the Tampa Bay Business Journal for an advertorial spread explaining how the agency works. “WHY is the Hillsborough PTC advertising in […]

Ryan RayOctober 5, 2015

Hollywood Sen. Eleanor Sobel filed the “Victoria Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act” for the second time in as many years Friday. The bill, whose title honors the animal-loving wife of former Senate president Sen. Don Gaetz, would mandate that greyhound racetrack operators report all injuries to the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. While many tracks […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 28, 2015

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Uber, the hired-car company seeking to secure its presence in Florida, has taken on former Florida-based lobbyist Stephanie Smith to oversee its public policy initiatives in the Sunshine State. Smith will leave her Atlanta-based post as AT&T’s director of public affairs for Florida and Georgia. As part of her job, she’ll have a hand in Uber’s media and public relations […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 18, 2015

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State House Republican Leader Dana Young has stood aside while other lawmakers tried to suss out how to regulate hired-car outfits such as Uber and Lyft. But her time on the sidelines is over, she told FloridaPolitics.com on Friday. “I will be putting all my energy into this,” said Young, who has represented her Tampa district […]

Gary FineoutSeptember 15, 2015

As the NFL season kicks off, another big contest may be soon be played in the halls of the Florida Capitol. The growing fantasy sports industry, which is already subjecting television viewers to a barrage of wall-to-wall advertising with the new football season, is now setting its sights on getting the blessings of the Republican-controlled […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2015

Earlier this year, a national organization rated the Tampa Bay area as 11th in the nation for traffic congestion. Obviously, the region has problems with traffic, which is perhaps why St. Petersburg state Senator Jeff Brandes called it a “game-changer” today in describing what could be a $17 million contract that the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) was awarded by […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Jeb Bush may be struggling in the polls, but there was nothing but unadulterated love for him shown Thursday afternoon in Tampa, where a bevy of local and state Republicans – highlighted by an appearance by Jeb Bush Jr. – gathered to officially open the former Florida governor’s statewide headquarters. Located in the Town ‘n’ […]

Ryan RayAugust 28, 2015

Republican state Rep. Ray Pilon has found an unlikely ally in his 2016 House re-election campaign in Sarasota-based District 72: leading Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Schale appears on the host committee for an upcoming fundraiser for the third-term Republican lawmaker, according to an invitation obtained by FloridaPolitics.com. Schale cited Pilon’s stance this year in a major battle over Medicaid […]

Mitch PerryAugust 24, 2015

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The Florida Legislature’s failure last week to come to an agreement on redrawing the state’s congressional maps was just the latest example of state Republicans unable to come together. A battle over Medicaid expansion roiled the Legislature for most of its Regular Session this spring. Nearly everyone in the state Senate supported proposals that would have […]

Ryan RayAugust 3, 2015

The Florida arm of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity has issued its annual legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislators based on their propensity to vote “pro-economic freedom.” The group graded all 160 state lawmakers based on their votes on economic issues. Votes considered in favor of deregulation were rewarded, whereas votes that reined in industry […]

Tag: Dana Young

Dana Young not happy about PTC advertorial in Tampa Bay Business Journal

Greyhound injury reporting bill again circulates for 2016 Session

Stephanie Smith to join Uber in Florida

Dana Young says she’s all-in on Uber debate

Gambling or fun? Lawmakers may make call on fantasy sports

Tampa Expressway Authority awarded first phase of funding for connected vehicle pilot program

Bay area Republicans gather to open Jeb Bush’s statewide HQ in Tampa

Democratic strategist Steve Schale reaches across the aisle to support Ray Pilon’s re-election

AFP airs ads thanking GOP lawmakers for refusing to expand health care in Florida

Americans for Prosperity picks annual “Champions of Economic Freedom” of 2015 Session

Florida politics had 11 questions before federal qualifying week. Here are the answers.