Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 15, 2015

The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation will consider five proposed “local bills” that touch on the operations of “transportation network companies,” such as Uber and Lyft, according to an email sent to members Tuesday. The 14-member delegation of state representatives and senators from both parties will go over the proposed legislation at its meeting next week, Senate […]

Melissa RossSeptember 10, 2015

As the war between taxicab companies and app-based transportation services such as Uber and Lyft heats up, it’s always fascinating to get the take of one of the foot soldiers in the conflict. After all, the grunts on the front lines are the ones trudging through mud (actually it’s drunk passengers’ vomit), dodging shrapnel (traffic […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

St.Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes has stated his opposition to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC) for years, so you wouldn’t think that the GOP lawmaker would entertain any discussions about strengthening the besieged agency. However, PTC Chairman Victor Crist says the two have more in common than Brandes is aware of. “Senator Brandes is […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Aiming for a different course after battling two rideshare companies for nearly a year and a half, the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted Wednesday to propose new regulations it hopes a local legislator can push through Tallahassee next year. As a “good faith effort” showing it’s trying to work with the industry, the board also […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 9, 2015

Rumor du jour is that there will be another candidate getting into the wide open countywide Hillsborough County District 6 seat, but it’s not a Republican taking on Jim Norman. The rumor that percolated over the Labor Day weekend is John Dicks, the 62-year-old former Plant City Mayor and Commissioner, is contemplating entering the Democratic […]

Mitch PerryAugust 26, 2015

The 18-month feud between representatives of Uber and the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission has been reignited over the past few weeks, after the PTC lost a battle in Hillsborough Circuit Court that could have put the San Francisco based ride-sharing company out of business in the county. After the PTC said it would continue […]

Mitch PerryAugust 20, 2015

After delivering what the Tampa Bay Times‘ Caitlin Johnston described as a “rant” at Wednesday’s Hillsborough Board of County Commission, Victor Crist isn’t finished getting the last word in when it comes to the county’s battle with Uber. That’s the more recalcitrant of the two ridesharing companies that have been operating out of compliance with the county’s […]

Mitch PerryAugust 20, 2015

The news that the Go Hillsborough campaign has re-introduced the prospect of the Hillsborough transportation tax going from a half-cent to a full penny apparently alienated a few county commissioners who didn’t get a heads-up that County Administrator Mike Merrill was about to do that Monday. Now that they’ve got that out of their system, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2015

(Update: Jeff Brandes & Uber respond). This past week St. Petersburg-based state Sen. Jeff Brandes said that he intends to once again introduce legislation in next year’s Regular Session to reform the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. Brandes, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, was reacting to the news that the PTC, which regulates commercial vehicle […]

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

Jeff Brandes says he’s mad as hell, and doesn’t want to take it anymore. The St. Petersburg-based Republican state senator wrote on his Facebook page Thursday that he will propose legislation next year to eliminate the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission. His statement comes a day after the controversial agency said that although a Hillsborough […]

Tag: Lyft
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Uber-friendly legislation tops Hillsborough politicians’ wish list

Uber driver tells all

Victor Crist wants to have a beer summit with Jeff Brandes regarding regulating Uber

Hillsborough County PTC to stop citing Uber, Lyft drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 9.9.15 – Another Democrat to enter Hillsborough County District 6 race?

Jeff Brandes optimistic about ridesharing bill passing in Florida in 2016

Victor Crist fires back at Uber

Mitch Perry Report for 8.20.15 — The 1% solution for a Hillsborough County transportation tax

Hillsborough County to study costs if PTC is eliminated

Fed-up Jeff Brandes to propose killing Hillsborough transportation board