Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersOctober 29, 2018

Yet again, a 21st-century business model is clashing with how business always has been done — creating a running battle at Orlando International Airport and other airports where authorities are trying to stop emerging car-sharing operations from acting, in the airports’ views, as unpermitted, unregulated rental-car companies. Specifically, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Turo, […]

Scott PowersAugust 15, 2018

The city of Orlando was once one of the biggest holes in the international vacation rental home sharing market: one of the world’s great tourist destinations, where vacation rental homes were against the law. That came to an end in July when a new city ordinance took effect essentially legalizing vacation rentals in the City […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Guest AuthorDecember 15, 2017

Travel and tourism have long served as the backbone of Florida’s economy, which is now the 18th largest in the world. Here in Pensacola, we’re proud that our city has emerged as a driving force of this growth industry. In just the past year, the Pensacola region welcomed 2.7 million visitors who have invested $787 […]

Scott PowersOctober 24, 2017

After hearing a cavalcade of criticisms of short-term vacation rental homes in Florida two weeks ago, the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee heard many positives Tuesday morning, while deliberating whether there need to be any state regulations. The committee’s workshop on vacation rental homes was extended from its initial hearing of the 2018 Florida Legislative […]

Guest AuthorOctober 18, 2017

As the voice of Florida’s hospitality industry, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association has long championed a uniform, statewide system of compliance for all commercial lodging establishments. As they compete for tourism business, all FRLA lodging members must register with the State, collect taxes, and protect Florida consumers through adequate insurance — rules that prevent […]

Tag: HomeAway

Next clash over ‘sharing’ business models — cars — being waged at Orlando airport

With vacation rentals now legal in Orlando, city offers amnesty period to rogue listers

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

House vacation rentals bill clears Government Accountability Committee

Orlando City Council votes to allow home sharing vacation rentals

Vacation rentals bill approved by Senate Regulated Industries Committee

Amanda Pedigo: Traditional vacation rentals part of Florida tourism DNA

Ashton Hayward: Residents, tourists alike can benefit from sharing economy

Senate panel hears values of vacation rentals, mulls regulations

Carol Dover: Protect Florida tourists, neighborhoods by stopping illegal hotel operators