Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMay 24, 2017

Members of Tampa’s political, business, media and activist communities weighed in Wednesday on the surprising news that Tampa will host the Super Bowl in February 2021. The announcement was unexpected, particularly after the NFL snubbed a local bid last year to host the big game in either 2019, 2020 and 2021. But major rainstorms in Southern […]

Joe HendersonMay 24, 2017

It wasn’t luck that Tampa was selected Tuesday to host its fifth Super Bowl. When the National Football League learned the new stadium being built in Los Angeles won’t be ready in time for the game in 2021, it had to find a city not only ready to step in on short notice, but one […]

Joe HendersonMay 22, 2017

I am not a fan of term limits. I understand the argument from those who say we need a law that limits the power of incumbency. They say the longer a politician stays in office, the more likely they are to accumulate so much recognition and money that it becomes almost impossible to beat them. […]

Mitch PerryDecember 7, 2016

Hillsborough County Commissioners approved a motion on Wednesday directing their attorney to research and provide draft language on a proposal that would ban them from receiving text messages from a lobbyist during a board meeting. However, the proposal’s ultimate passage is unclear, based on comments from some members. “In the event that we did receive a text […]

Joe HendersonOctober 3, 2016

Ken Hagan has been elected five times to the Hillsborough County Commission. That ought to say something about the way voters feel he takes care of both his and the public’s business. Headlines tend to find him because he always seems to be involved in something important, but I wouldn’t say he seeks out publicity. […]

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 […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 29, 2016

An official with Uber said Thursday the San Francisco-based ridesharing company has come to an agreement regarding background checks and other new rules proposed by outgoing Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission Chair Victor Crist to have them finally operate legally in the county. Whether they will be approved by the rest of the PTC remains uncertain […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2016

The Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission Wednesday voted 5-2 on proposed new rules that still include requiring Level II background checks for Uber and Lyft drivers — a mandate representatives from those companies have said would compel them to leave the market. Though theoretically the new rules would allow new ridesharing companies to enter the market, the proprietor […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman said Wednesday she doesn’t want the Public Transportation Commission to raise the penalties on ridesharing drivers from $700 to $900. “I think their fines are high enough,” she told her colleagues on the county commission at the end of their regular meeting. “If the fines are being raised to control a certain […]

Phil AmmannJuly 19, 2016

Hillsborough County commissioners are poised this week to consider $25,000 in incentives for a local film company to shoot a film in the Tampa Bay area. Noah Pransky of WTSP reports the subsidies will be the latest attempt by lawmakers to support the county’s struggling film industry. But in contrast to “The Infiltrator,” a big-name […]

Tag: Ken Hagan

For many, Tampa’s 2021 Super Bowl is unexpected ‘big win.’ Others remain skeptical.

Joe Henderson: When NFL suddenly needed a Super host, it knew who to call

Joe Henderson: We already term limits. They’re called ‘elections’

Hillsborough Commission to copy Richard Corcoran’s proposal to ban texting by lobbyists?

Joe Henderson: Hillsborough rideshare decision could rest with ‘problem solver’ Ken Hagan

Will Ken Hagan save ridesharing in Hillsborough?

Uber agrees to proposed new rules — but will Hillsborough’s PTC follow suit?

Hillsborough PTC approves new rules — Future uncertain for Uber and Lyft

Sandy Murman doesn’t want Hillsborough PTC to raise penalties on ridesharing drivers

Hillsborough film company looking for tax incentives on new production