Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

It’s the last call for ride-hailing legislation. A bill (SB 1118) to set minimum insurance requirements for ride-hailing companies, like Uber, is once again on the Senate’s special order calendar. So is a similar House proposal (HB 509) that addresses insurance requirements and deals with preemption concerns. With just days left in the legislative session, […]

Peter SchorschMarch 9, 2016

Constituents of Andy Gardiner on Wednesday will receive mail from Uber Florida criticizing the Senate President for blocking any kind of vote on a heavily lobbied proposal involving app-based transportation services. Uber wants the Senate to approve legislation that has already passed the House preventing local governments from banning or regulating it and other ridesharing companies such […]

Scott PowersMarch 9, 2016

Uber is hitting Senate President Andy Gardiner and Mears Transportation in their home turf Wednesday with a mailer accusing him of thwarting ride-sharing legislation in order to help old friends and patrons at a taxi company. The mailer, called “Connect The Dots,” is being sent to homes in Gardiner’s home district in Orlando. It follows […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 3, 2016

In a wide-ranging interview Thursday morning, Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg talked about Uber and the taxis, the John Keane deal and John Delaney’s role in it, and Katrina Brown. Schellenberg, the chair of the Vehicles for Hire committee, was lambasted by a cab company executive for pushing back the next committee meeting date until March 22, with […]

Mitch PerryMarch 3, 2016

Mitt Romney returns full circle to the political circus today with a speech he’s going to give in Salt Lake City at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Politico has some excerpts from the text. Here’s the killer sound bite.” “Here’s what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a […]

Mitch PerryMarch 2, 2016

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After the release of ads produced by Uber targeting Senate President Andy Gardiner on ride-sharing legislation, the Florida Taxi Cab Association released its own digital ad Wednesday. The ad takes exception to the insurance and background check policies at Uber and Lyft. Although Uber says it doesn’t like the Senate bill floating in the Legislature […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2016

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; the band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, and somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; but there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out. Mudville, in this case, is Tallahassee. And Casey is a stand-in for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

While watching the Florida Legislature debate regulation of services like Uber and Lyft statewide, I couldn’t help but think of a pair of quotes discovered as I was looking up something else. The first quote, from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, came as the House displayed leadership and vision in approving its version of a bill […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2016

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A concept of “deal” implies that each side gets “something.” Not so with Uber and the taxi industry. So far, in all negotiations, Uber has stuck to everything they want, yet offering little (or nothing) in return. From the onset, Uber’s arrival in Florida quickly became a matter of ignoring the existing rules, beginning with […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 14, 2016

The sharing economy is here to stay and is no doubt flourishing. From Airbnb to ridesharing, it is an exciting time for consumers as new products and services continue to enter the marketplace. Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, brought a new way of getting around town not just in Florida, but […]

Tag: Lyft
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Email Insights: Uber calls on customers to demand a Senate vote

Not to be a skunk at Andy Gardiner’s picnic, but …

Uber taking its fight with Andy Gardiner, Mears Transportation, home to Orlando

Matt Schellenberg talks Uber, John Keane, “Teflon John” Delaney, and Katrina Brown

Mitch Perry Report for 3.3.16 — Mittens returns

Florida Taxi Cab Association fires back at Uber, Lyft in new ad

Peter Schorsch: No joy in Mudville, the Legislature struck out

The case for why there should be a legislative deal for Uber & Lyft

The case for the taxis not making a legislative deal with Uber & Lyft

Logan McFaddin: Sharing economy needs reasonable insurance laws