Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryJuly 11, 2016

The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission is poised to begin increasing fines on Uber and Lyft drivers soon, and that’s not going down well with one of the agency’s biggest critics, state Sen. Jeff Brandes. The St. Petersburg Republican has frequently criticized the PTC over the years for their confrontational stance towards the two ridesharing companies, […]

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 5, 2016

Tomas Martinelli is leaving his post at the Florida Department of Transportation and joining the team at Airbnb. Martinelli announced his move in an email Sunday. “As you may know, the people-powered platform and the culture that steers Airbnb makes this opportunity/project an exciting one,” he said. “Although, it wasn’t easy leaving the best agency in […]

Mitch PerryJune 23, 2016

A court has rejected a request by a coalition of taxi cab companies to have Victor Crist removed as chair of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland issued an order dismissing the request Thursday. “This was a malicious intent by the taxi coalition and their representatives to discredit me,” Crist said, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 20, 2016

Many of those outside the walls of the St. James Building in Jacksonville won’t take notice when Lori Boyer assumes the presidency of Jacksonville’s City Council from outgoing President Greg Anderson in less than two weeks. Chances are they will feel the effects though, as the second-term Southside Republican seeks to reassert the role of the legislative branch, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 13, 2016

A sense of urgency permeated the Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire committee Monday afternoon, as the longstanding special committee met yet again to determine regulations for Uber and Lyft, in what was supposed to be the last meeting of this special committee. Though insurance levels had been agreed upon, as was the concept of […]

Mitch PerryJune 9, 2016

Bernie Sanders is scheduled to meet with Barack Obama at the White House today, and one can only imagine how that might go down. Obama: Bernie, what an amazing run you’ve had. The right have had a field day accusing me of being a socialist, and then you come along – Sanders: Please, Mr. President, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 7, 2016

Even with the Vehicles for Hire committee cancelled this week, the Jacksonville City Council is still hearing the case for ridesharing. An ad in the B section of the Florida Times-Union Tuesday included an “open letter” to the council, which has struggled with legislation related to Uber and Lyft. “Jacksonville is positioned to become a […]

Melissa RossJune 2, 2016

Despite a somewhat stalled process over vehicle inspections and background checks, the man heading up the regulatory argument in Jacksonville over Uber and Lyft says progress is hopefully imminent. I think where we’re going is a good place,” says City Councilman Matt Schellenberg. Schellenberg chairs the council’s Vehicles for Hire committee. “We hope to get […]

Ryan RayMay 25, 2016

The American Hotel and Lodging Association says Airbnb “landlords” raked in some $76 million on grey or black market transactions last year in Miami alone. The group released the results of a new study on a conference call with reporters Tuesday, which looked at 14 major markets’ activity in the short-term rental sector, led by […]

Tag: Lyft
Rodney Guttman, image via University of West Florida.

Hillsborough County PTC is raising fines on ridesharing drivers, and Jeff Brandes doesn’t like it

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

Personnel note: Tomas Martinelli headed to Airbnb

Court rejects taxi companies request to remove Victor Crist from Hillsborough PTC

Jax Council President-elect Lori Boyer outlines her leadership goals

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee meanders to conclusion

Mitch Perry Report for 6.9.16 -When Bernie meets Barry

Lyft and Uber supporters publish open letter to Jacksonville City Council

Matt Schellenberg: taxis should ditch medallions, introduce their own apps like Uber

Hotels group says Airbnb reaping millions in illegal South Florida revenue