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Mitch PerryMay 4, 2017

Legislation that would effectively kill the controversial Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission (HB 647) passed in the Florida House on Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Tampa Bay Republican Jamie Grant, was first introduced as a local bill at the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation meeting last December. Although the PTC has reaped a slew of negative news stories over the […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2017

A bill to shutter the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Committee continued its rapid pace through the House, quickly passing the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Tuesday. Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees taxicabs and limousines, has clashed with municipalities lately over the regulation of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. In past years, several members of the […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2017

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber; it’s also no secret that I am NOT a big fan of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, a bully of a governmental entity applying 19th-century thinking to a 21st-century innovation. The PTC’s blatant quest to stifle ridesharing while clinging […]

Mitch PerryOctober 21, 2016

Although Dana Young was a no-show at a Tampa Tiger Bay Club meeting on Friday, her presence was definitely felt as she was the target of several attacks by her three opponents in the state Senate District 18 race. Saying it was the sixth candidate forum where she has failed to appear, Democrat Bob Buesing said she was intentionally avoiding answering the voters’ […]

Joe HendersonOctober 3, 2016

Ken Hagan has been elected five times to the Hillsborough County Commission. That ought to say something about the way voters feel he takes care of both his and the public’s business. Headlines tend to find him because he always seems to be involved in something important, but I wouldn’t say he seeks out publicity. […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 30, 2016

They say the past is prologue. If that’s true, past votes and actions by Hillsborough County’s Public Transportation Commission can give us a glimpse at how the showdown over ridesharing may unfold. And it looks like it could all be in the hands of one board member: Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan. Oct. 13 is […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 16, 2016

As the backbone of a strong free-market economy, competition helps drive economic growth — incentivizing innovation, creating jobs, and ensuring the quality of goods and services is continuously improving. It’s innovation and competition that’s led to the creation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) which are lowering costs for consumers, moving more people with fewer cars […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2016

Like the many Tampa Bay area GOP state lawmakers she wants to join in Tallahassee this November, Jackie Toledo said Wednesday she is disgusted by the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission’s approval of new regulations that could ultimately lead ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft to leave the region. “The rules passed by the PTC are clear examples […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 14, 2016

The Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission Wednesday voted 5-2 on proposed new rules that still include requiring Level II background checks for Uber and Lyft drivers — a mandate representatives from those companies have said would compel them to leave the market. Though theoretically the new rules would allow new ridesharing companies to enter the market, the proprietor […]

Mitch PerrySeptember 2, 2016

They did it last night. After nearly four hours of discussion, the Tampa City Council voted 4-2 to support the biggest infusion of taxpayer dollars ever to attempt to improve the city’s stormwater infrastructure, which for decades has been a major problem in the city. Mike Suarez, Lisa Montelione, Harry Cohen and swing vote Guido Maniscalco opted to support Mayor Bob Buckhorn‘s proposal, […]

Tag: PTC

It’s the end of the road for the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission

House committee pushes through local bill abolishing Hillsborough PTC

Ridesharing smoothing the roads in Florida

SD 18 candidates make the case for themselves and against Dana Young in Tiger Bay debate

Joe Henderson: Hillsborough rideshare decision could rest with ‘problem solver’ Ken Hagan

Will Ken Hagan save ridesharing in Hillsborough?

Kevin Hernandez: Uber, Lyft drive economic growth; regulators say, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’

HD 60 GOP candidate Jackie Toledo slams PTC’s ridesharing regulations

Hillsborough PTC approves new rules — Future uncertain for Uber and Lyft

Mitch Perry Report for 9.2.16 — Tampa City Council approves $251 million to improve stormwater system