Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 23, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire special committee met on Monday, progressing on vehicle inspections and stalling out on background checks. Any optimism the committee might be headed toward disbanding anytime soon was quickly squelched, as advocates for the taxicab and transportation network company sectors, and council members, settled in to rehearse well-worn arguments […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2016

In welcome news for media tasked with covering the Jacksonville City Council’s Vehicles for Hire committee, it appears that special panel may be nearing its end. Rules Committee chair Matt Schellenberg, who also chairs Vehicles for Hire, noted in the Rules agenda meeting Tuesday afternoon that Vehicles for Hire hadn’t been making the progress he’d hoped […]

Melissa RossMay 12, 2016

At least one Jacksonville official says the 904 should follow the lead of Austin, Texas when it comes to how to regulate ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft. City Councilman John Crescimbeni said all he’s calling for is a level playing field. “Either everybody plays by the rules, or we just get rid of the […]

Mitch PerryMay 12, 2016

So, Go Hillsborough is somehow still alive? Though they haven’t set a date yet, apparently there will be another public hearing on putting a sales tax referendum on the ballot this November. On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to support a half-cent sales tax for 15 years, and not the 30-year plan shot down […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 9, 2016

On Monday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire subcommittee wrestled, yet again, with regulations for Uber and Lyft, making glacial progress on resolving the long-standing contretemps between the taxicab industry and transportation network companies. Progress had been made previously on insurance conditions, with the committee agreeing on terms. Drivers for transportation network companies […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2016

How many times can Department of Corrections officials tick off Greg Evers before they’re really in for it? The Republican state Senator from North Florida has been on a one-man crusade against the department. Evers chairs the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, which has held hearings about the agency’s ability and integrity. Evers, a farmer from Baker, has even made some unannounced […]

Peter SchorschMay 8, 2016

google-to-offer-ride-sharing-service-to-compete-with-uber-1102870-TwoByOne-1024x1024.jpg

If all forms of innovation were stifled, this website wouldn’t exist (and yes, there are probably some folks who are thinking “if only …”). The latest target for these head-in-the-sand luddites is ridesharing, in the form of companies like Uber and Lyft. Ridesharing is not just inevitable – it’s real, and it’s here to stay. Yet like […]

Mitch PerryApril 21, 2016

Some quick hits before I hop on a plane … I know much of our news media would rather spend another day focusing on our national elections, what about what’s going on the world? A U.N. agency said yesterday that up to 500 may have died last week, when a large boat packed with migrants from […]

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: Lyft
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee agrees to yearly rideshare vehicle inspections

Jax vehicles for hire committee nears its end

A voter referendum for Uber/Lyft in Jacksonville?

Mitch Perry Report for 5.12.16 — The proposed tax that will not go away

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee considers regulatory framework, yet again

Peter Schorsch: Irritated senator, no love for Guv, panther numbers

Why are so many people trying to stand in the way of innovation?

Mitch Perry Report for 4.21.16 – Will Hillsborough adopt Palm Beach law regarding Uber and Lyft?

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

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