Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 27, 2017

Cynthia Oster, who has been serving as the in-house attorney for the soon-to-be dismantled Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, has been named by Gov. Rick Scott to serve as a judge in Hillsborough County Court. The 47-year-old Oster’s official position, which she has held for the past 17 years, was Senior Assistant County Attorney in Hillsborough. […]

Scott PowersApril 6, 2017

A bill aimed at preventing tragedies like when two 14-year-old boys disappeared in a fishing boat off the coast of Jupiter in 2015 won approval from the House Government Oversight Committee Thursday. House Bill 711, embraced by Blu Stephanos, the father of of one of the boys in that ill-fated boat, Austin Stephanos, would give Florida boat […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2017

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber; it’s also no secret that I am NOT a big fan of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, a bully of a governmental entity applying 19th-century thinking to a 21st-century innovation. The PTC’s blatant quest to stifle ridesharing while clinging […]

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2016

A change in government in Washington has been preceded by a changing of the guard at one of the Tampa Bay area’s most troubled government agencies, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. On the same day the PTC finally approved rules legalizing ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to operate in the county, the agency lost […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 30, 2016

They say the past is prologue. If that’s true, past votes and actions by Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission can give us a glimpse at how the showdown over ridesharing may unfold. And it looks like it could all be in the hands of one board member: Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan. Oct. 13 is […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2016

Beyond convenience and affordability, ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber have become an essential, safe alternative to drunken driving. One person who should understand this best is David Pogorilich; Uber could have prevented his DUI nearly two decades ago. An Uber ride — at only a few dollars — is certainly preferable to a DUI, […]

Peter SchorschJuly 19, 2016

Why does the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission have it in for the Tampa area’s residents and tourists? It’s so clear that this area wants — demands — the flexibility and convenience of modern technology as represented by ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Yet it’s just as clear that members of the PTC want to cling […]

Peter SchorschApril 11, 2016

In recent weeks, agents with the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) have resumed citing Uber and Lyft drivers for being out of compliance with the agency’s regulations. And after the Florida Legislature failed once again to address insurance and background regulations regarding such ridesharing companies earlier this year, the PTC conducted an initial workshop last month to […]

Mitch PerryNovember 25, 2015

Outgoing Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed an executive order Tuesday immediately restoring voting rights to more than 100,000 ex-felons convicted of nonviolent offenses. “This disenfranchisement makes no sense,” Beshear, a Democrat, said in his announcement. “It makes no sense because it dilutes the energy of democracy, which functions only if all classes and categories of people have a […]

Phil AmmannOctober 29, 2015

As Uber continues its expansion across the globe, a new company-sponsored public policy blog will touch on several issues facing the popular ridesharing service, such as car insurance and company benefits. Uber Under the Hood, launched Wednesday, is the latest effort by the San Francisco-based company to garner more support as it deals with lawmakers […]

Tag: Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission

Hillsborough PTC attorney Cindy Oster named to county court

Bill to discount boat safety beacons gets approval

Ridesharing smoothing the roads in Florida

Kyle Cockream to step down from Hillsborough County PTC at the end of the year

Will Ken Hagan save ridesharing in Hillsborough?

If there is one member of the PTC who should support Uber, it’s David Pogorilich

How long will the Hillsborough PTC continue to stand in the way of innovation?

Hillsborough PTC Executive Director (and ride-sharing critic) says he met with Palm Beach Commissioners as a “resource”

Mitch Perry Report for 11.25.15 — Florida now one of 2 states withholding vote from ex-felons

Uber tackles public policy issues with newly launched “Under the Hood” blog