Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 2016

Beyond convenience and affordability, ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber have become an essential, safe alternative to drunken driving. One person who should understand this best is David Pogorilich; Uber could have prevented his DUI nearly two decades ago. An Uber ride — at only a few dollars — is certainly preferable to a DUI, […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 7, 2016

Who knew Hillary Clinton was a fan of the University of South Florida Bulls? “Hello, Tampa! Hello, USF! I know I’m only the second-most exciting thing that’s happened here in the last few days. Your big win to open your football season got some attention,” the Democratic presidential nominee said to the audience who gathered […]

Mitch PerryAugust 18, 2016

There’s more news about the Affordable Care Act this week, and it ain’t that good. Aetna announced Tuesday it would be pulling out of Florida and 10 other states next year, giving those on the government plan less options for choice here in the Sunshine State. There have always been problems with the ACA, and […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 5, 2016

Even in the annals of unproductive Jacksonville City Council committees, the Vehicles for Hire committee held pride of place for its intoxicating blend of overheated lobbyist rhetoric, committee members who seemed to be in the tank for one side or another, and, in the end, a lack of meaningful consensus on workable regulations for Uber, Lyft, […]

Mitch PerryAugust 4, 2016

Well, so much for the free flow of ideas inside the Florida Democratic Party. Patrick Murphy announced yesterday he would not engage in any debates with Alan Grayson or Pam Keith in advance of the Aug. 30 Senate primary election, citing allegations of domestic abuse charged by Grayson’s ex-wife last week. “Over the last week, I have heard from many […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman said Wednesday she doesn’t want the Public Transportation Commission to raise the penalties on ridesharing drivers from $700 to $900. “I think their fines are high enough,” she told her colleagues on the county commission at the end of their regular meeting. “If the fines are being raised to control a certain […]

Mitch PerryAugust 3, 2016

New York Rep. Richard Hanna yesterday became the first Republican in Congress to say that not only could he not support Donald Trump for president (he said that months ago), but he now says he’ll be voting for Hillary Clinton in the fall. “While I disagree with her on many issues, I will vote for Mrs. Clinton,” Hanna wrote […]

Mitch PerryAugust 2, 2016

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Since they began operating in Florida in 2014, ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft have successfully negotiated to work legally in many of the state’s biggest areas, including Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. It’s been a different story in Hillsborough County, however, as the two companies have been at odds with the Public Transportation Commission, which for […]

Mitch PerryAugust 1, 2016

The Rules and Policy Committee of the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (PTC) is scheduled Tuesday to consider another attempt at establishing new regulations for TNC’s (transportation network companies) in the county, and an attorney with Uber is not pleased with what is being proposed. “The proposed regulations — which closely track regulations proposed by the taxicab industry […]

Peter SchorschJuly 19, 2016

Why does the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission have it in for the Tampa area’s residents and tourists? It’s so clear that this area wants — demands — the flexibility and convenience of modern technology as represented by ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft. Yet it’s just as clear that members of the PTC want to cling […]

Tag: Lyft
Image via AP.

If there is one member of the PTC who should support Uber, it’s David Pogorilich

Mitch Perry Report for 9.7.16 — Pam Bondi’s reluctance to investigate Trump University resurfaces on the campaign trail

Mitch Perry Report for 8.18.16 — The Affordable Care Act is getting less affordable

Final Jax ‘vehicles for hire’ committee report says taxis are over-regulated

Mitch Perry Report for 8.4.16 — Patrick Murphy shuts down the debate

Sandy Murman doesn’t want Hillsborough PTC to raise penalties on ridesharing drivers

Mitch Perry Report for 8.3.16 — How many GOP candidates still ‘not there yet’ on Trump?

Public meeting on proposed new ride-sharing rules in Hillsborough County goes nowhere

Uber strongly opposes latest round of proposed changes on ridesharing in Hillsborough County

How long will the Hillsborough PTC continue to stand in the way of innovation?