Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 8, 2016

A mentally ill inmate who was in protective custody was found dead at the Columbia Correctional Institution on Tuesday, a day after a corrections officer was hospitalized in an attack. It’s yet another black mark on Florida’s prison system, one that many say is overcrowded and underfunded. The Department of Corrections, though, insists those issues had nothing […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 6, 2016

In Wednesday’s Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire Committee, representatives for Transportation Network Companies had their say. Speakers such as a Senior Public Affairs Associate from Uber, Cesar Fernandez, spoke to clarify the ridesharing industry’s position. Fernandez noted the industry commitment to background checks, vehicle inspections, and other safeguards that have assured local jurisdictions, such as […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2016

If the Tampa Bay Rays ever get a new, retractable domed stadium somewhere in the Tampa Bay area, days like Sunday are the days that stadium’s roof would be open. You couldn’t get better weather conditions to kick off the 2016 Major League Baseball season here, where the Rays dropped their home opener to the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 30, 2016

With the 2016 Florida Legislative Session now in their rear view mirrors, the entire Pinellas County delegation – sans HD 65 Republican Chris Sprowls – discussed various aspects of what just went on in Tallahassee on Wednesday before a robust Suncoast Tiger Bay Club audience at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. The delegation skews heavily Republican, […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2016

The fractious Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire committee hasn’t bridged the gap between the taxicab industry and Uber and Lyft. However, Tuesday night at Council at least bought them more time. Ordinance 2015-835-E, enacted on December 8, 2015, established a temporary moratorium (90 days) on medallion renewals and late fees for medallion renewals pertaining to […]

Drew WilsonMarch 11, 2016

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America said it was disappointed lawmakers capped off the 2016 Legislative Session without passing insurance regulations for Uber and Lyft drivers. “Twenty-nine other states have passed legislation addressing insurance coverage requirements for TNCs, and it is past time for Florida to do the same,” the group said in a […]

Ryan RayMarch 11, 2016

A compromise between Republican lawmakers and ride-hailing firms like Uber was on thin ice Friday afternoon as Session raced to a close, until finally, the bill hit a brick wall. Sen. David Simmons, the Senate Rules Chair, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements for drivers with Uber and […]

Peter SchorschMarch 11, 2016

On the final day of the 2016 Legislative Session, a landmark deal addressing the ridesharing issue in Florida has died. According to lobbyists working for Uber and Lyft, as well as Orlando-based Mears Transportation, a compromise was brokered that includes the thorny aspects of insurance and preemption. However, the time constraints of the legislative session […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

The House sponsor of legislation this year that would have benefited Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services slammed the Senate’s inaction, saying the chamber wasn’t “interested in the free market.” State Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, talked to reporters Thursday evening with Uber public affairs director Colin Tooze and state Sen. Jeff […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

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A leading state senator Thursday yanked his bill that would have benefited ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft, saying there was no compromise that pleased everyone involved, including the House. State Sen. David Simmons, the chamber’s Rules chairman, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements […]

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

Jeff Brandes say his next focus will be on reforming Florida prison system

Jax Vehicles for Hire Committee hears from Uber, Lyft reps

Mitch Perry Report for 4.4.16 — Time to play ball

Pinellas lawmakers talk 2016 Session, advice for Rick Scott, and who they think will be president

Jax taxi medallion moratorium extended until June 30

Property Casualty Insurers “disappointed” by failure to pass ride-sharing regulation

Uber legislation finally flames out

Legislative deal between ridesharing companies and taxis dies

Matt Gaetz slams Senate over tanking Uber legislation

Uber bill makes last stand in Senate