Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2016

Two days before the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission looks to approve new regulations that representatives from ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft say could compel them to leave town, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and others in Hillsborough County’s business community had a simple message for them on Monday: Don’t do it. Specifically, they warned the agency not […]

Mitch PerryAugust 1, 2016

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The Rules and Policy Committee of the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (PTC) is scheduled Tuesday to consider another attempt at establishing new regulations for TNC’s (transportation network companies) in the county, and an attorney with Uber is not pleased with what is being proposed. “The proposed regulations — which closely track regulations proposed by the taxicab industry […]

Mitch PerryJuly 7, 2016

Even before they began operating in Tampa, a coterie of Tampa Bay area Republicans have championed ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. Those state Representatives include Jeff Brandes, Jamie Grant and Dana Young. In a fundraising pitch sent to supporters in her bid for the state Senate District 18 seat this fall, Young boasts about the work Republicans […]

Mitch PerryApril 14, 2016

Why do Hillsborough County State Attorney employees even need “key cards”? That’s the question I have after reading the Anna Phillips/Windy March penned story in the Times this morning (and Elaine Silvestrini’s in the Trib). Their story revolves around an allegation made about Mark Ober’s work ethic by his Democratic party challenger, Andrew Warren. Records unearthed by his campaign […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2016

Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission executive director Kyle Cockream says his final day on the job will be July 11. Cockream announced he was stepping down on Monday after serving two years on the job, but said at Wednesday’s PTC meeting that he began “having communications” with agency chair Victor Crist about leaving the post back on […]

Mitch PerryApril 13, 2016

Here’s a news flash: we’re all going to die. Ideally, it’d be after a long life, but we know that it always doesn’t work out like that. Whether through illness or accident, there’s always the potential for today to be our last day. But nothing brings death quicker than a gun. There are gun deaths […]

Mitch PerryApril 12, 2016

The New York Yankees are worth at least $3.4 billion, according to Forbes. Depending on what survey you look at, they are either the 2nd or 3rd most valuable sports property in the world (behind only Real Madrid and maybe the Dallas Cowboys). Despite that vast wealth, the ball club and the Tampa Sports Authority are […]

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 PerryFebruary 11, 2016

Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina have suspended their presidential campaigns. This reporter had the chance to see the New Jersey governor (yes, that is the day job he’s pretty much blown off for months) a week ago in Keene, N.H. The fun part about that was how intimate it was: It was a small crowd (maybe too small, […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2016

The executive director for the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission told Florida lawmakers on Wednesday he’s OK if they ban his agency from regulating ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. Kyle Cockream came before the House Economics Committee to speak in support of the bill, sponsored by Republican Dana Young from Tampa and Plant City’s Dan […]

Tag: Kyle Cockream

Bob Buckhorn, others call Hillsborough PTC to reject rules that Uber, Lyft say could drive them out

Uber strongly opposes latest round of proposed changes on ridesharing in Hillsborough County

Email insights: Dana Young touts her support of Uber and Lyft in fundraising pitch

Mitch Perry Report for 4.14.16 – So who wants to go to Cleveland this summer?

Kyle Cockream’s last day as Hillsborough PTC head is July 11

Mitch Perry Report for 4.13.16 — Sean Payton’s lament

Mitch Perry Report for 4.12.16 – Will anyone question the NY Yankees/Steinbrenner field $40 million upgrade?

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

Mitch Perry Report for 2.11.16 — Carly and Chris bid adieu to the circus

Hillsborough PTC chief tells House committee he still wants ride-share drivers fingerprinted