Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 15, 2015

The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation will consider five proposed “local bills” that touch on the operations of “transportation network companies,” such as Uber and Lyft, according to an email sent to members Tuesday. The 14-member delegation of state representatives and senators from both parties will go over the proposed legislation at its meeting next week, Senate […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 15, 2015

On Tuesday, Republican Mike Twitty received the backing of two leading Pinellas County political figures in his bid to become the county’s next property appraiser. The 48-year-old professional real estate appraiser announced endorsements from state Senator Jeff Brandes and St. Petersburg Councilman-elect Ed Montanari. Twitty faces former state Rep. Jim Frishe in the race to […]

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’ […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 10, 2015

Yesterday in Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union’s top executive, proposed a plan to move approximately 160,000 refugees coming from war-torn and poverty-stricken nations in the Middle East and Africa in response to other countries to deal with the crisis gripping Europe. Although often called “Europe’s problem,” there is increasing discussion about what the U.S. could, and […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

A month ago, the Miami Herald reported that most Florida motorists whose drivers licenses were suspended in recent years simply failed to pay fines, not because of driving while under the influence citations. Failure to pay such fees accounted for 77 percent of all license suspensions from 2012 through 2015, the paper learned. The story showed […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

St.Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes has stated his opposition to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) for years, so you wouldn’t think that the GOP lawmaker would entertain any discussions about strengthening the besieged agency. However, PTC Chairman Victor Crist says the two have more in common than Brandes is aware of. “Senator Brandes is […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Aiming for a different course after battling two rideshare companies for nearly a year and a half, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted Wednesday to propose new regulations it hopes a local legislator can push through Tallahassee next year. As a “good faith effort” showing it’s trying to work with the industry, the board also […]

Mitch PerryAugust 27, 2015

Forget the talking heads. Joe Biden says at this moment he’s still not sure whether he’ll enter the 2016 presidential campaign. “We’re dealing at home with … whether or not there is the emotional fuel at this time to run,” Biden told DNC members Wednesday night on a conference call as reported by CNN. “If […]

Peter SchorschAugust 26, 2015

State Senator Joe Negron this morning upped the ante in the poker game to be President of the Florida Senate in 2016-18 by releasing the names of his colleagues who have pledged their support to him. Unfortunately for Negron, this latest ploy will likely fall flat. Claiming that he has the support of “Senators who […]

Tag: Jeff Brandes
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

Uber-friendly legislation tops Hillsborough politicians’ wish list

Jeff Brandes, Ed Montanari endorse Mike Twitty for Pinellas Property Appraiser

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

Mitch Perry Report for 9.10.15 – Few presidential candidates offering specifics on refugee crisis

Jeff Brandes plans review of state’s broken drivers license suspension policy

Victor Crist wants to have a beer summit with Jeff Brandes regarding regulating Uber

Hillsborough County PTC to stop citing Uber, Lyft drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 8.27.15 — Is the “Joementum” there?

Sorry, Joe Negron, but this latest ploy for Senate Presidency is weak sauce