Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 13, 2015

Good morning, happy 11th anniversary of Hurricane Charley. Charley, as those of us who were here remember, was the first of four hurricanes that descended upon Florida in August and September 2004. It was going to be the “new normal,” we all fretted. Major storms every summer. Since that time there were a couple that […]

Mitch PerryAugust 12, 2015

Despite a court ruling that rejected their request that could have prevented Uber from operating in Hillsborough County, the Public Transportation Committee agreed today that they could continue to issue citations against Uber (and Lyft) drivers. “It is our opinion that there is nothing in Judge Huey’s order that prevents the PTC from continuing its enforcement […]

Mitch PerryAugust 10, 2015

Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission executive director Kyle Cockream wants to emphasize that his agency has never wanted to boot Uber from operating in the county. He just wants them to abide by a few of the agency’s rules, which the popular ridesharing company has rejected. On Friday, a Hillsborough County Circuit Court judge denied the […]

Mitch PerryJuly 16, 2015

Jeb Bush is in San Francisco today, where he plans to hail an Uber to show support for the ride-sharing company. His appearance comes a day after California regulators required the company to pay a $7.3 million fine and hand over required information about safety and accessibility — or be shut down in their home state. The California […]

Associated PressJuly 10, 2015

The ride-hailing service Lyft says it will also cease operations in Broward County. Competitor Uber announced its plans to leave Broward County on July 31 after Broward County Commission approved new laws regulating transportation network companies. Both services will continue operations in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. Lyft spokeswoman Chelsea Wilson told the South Florida […]

Ryan RayJuly 8, 2015

In its vigorous crusade to legalize “ridesharing,” Uber has made some enemies among decision makers. Two days after the firm announced a pointed withdrawal from all operations in Broward County, officials in Key West are now saying they may arrest drivers who run afoul of local ordinances banning electronic ride-hailing. Meanwhile in Paris, French officials recently detained top Uber executives for […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 18, 2015

Thursday morning Jacksonville transition team budget reviews continue with the Office of Economic Development. 9:55: No revenue. Expenses: salaries down $33K. Health insurance up. Office of General Counsel allocation down by $65K. Removed extraordinary lapse, imposed by City Council last year. Flat budget; no major changes. 9:57: Why is parking under Eco Dev? Sam Mousa says that […]

Mitch PerryJune 12, 2015

Legislation to regulate share-riding services Uber and Lyft failed in the Florida Legislature this year, meaning that their ability to operate in the state without getting in trouble will vary county to county. Most of the issues here and across the country with Uber and Lyft regard getting their insurance and background check policies in […]

Mitch PerryJune 11, 2015

The Tampa Bay Times lead Thursday is a story that we touched upon briefly Wednesday because the Legislature is now half-way through its Special Session in Tallahassee: There are fears among Tampa leaders that state funding for a USF College of Medicine building ($17 million) and accompanying USF Heart Institute ($15.75 million) is in peril. […]

Mitch PerryJune 10, 2015

Having survived a proposal in the Legislature that would have prevented them from making any rule changes to regular Uber and Lyft, Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission executive director Kyle Cockream said Wednesday that he will soon be recommending the “deregulation of some of our rules that we have.” The two ride-sharing companies have been […]

Tag: Lyft
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Mitch Perry Report for 8.13.15 — Jeb Bush deals with a Black Lives Matter activist

Despite court ruling, Hillsborough PTC agents will continue to cite Uber drivers

Hillsborough PTC head emphasizes he doesn’t want Uber to leave Tampa

Mitch Perry Report for 7.16.15 — Jeb Bush goes to Uber

Ride-hailing service Lyft also leaving Broward County

Should Uber, like Airbnb, employ lighter touch with regulators?

Jacksonville Transition Budget Review: Economic Development

Uber’s David Plouffe rejects claim on reliability of fingerprint background checks

Mitch Perry Report for 6.11.15 — Picking winners and losers in Tallahassee

Hillsborough County PTC promises deregulation of some rules regarding Uber and Lyft