Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 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 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 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 […]

Mitch PerryMay 8, 2015

As of early Friday afternoon, the ride-sharing app Uber had gathered more than 25,000 signatures on its website petitioning state lawmakers to address regulation issues regarding transportation network companies (TNC) when they convene in Special Session next month. One influential Republican said he wouldn’t be surprised to see such legislation brought up when the House and Senate […]

Phil AmmannApril 8, 2015

Ridesharing service Uber is, if anything, tenacious. Facing a newly filed lawsuit by Hillsborough County, the San Francisco-based company’s foe since its Tampa launch last year, Uber sent an email to customers saying they are still open for business. Subject line, “Continuing to Operate in Hillsborough County.” Spoiler alert: They are. The Hillsborough County Public […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2015

St. Petersburg GOP state Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed legislation that would allow share-riding companies Uber and Lyft to operate legally in Florida, and would also change the current composition of the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission — an agency that Brandes tried to kill in proposed legislation a year ago. The Brandes bill on the […]

Mitch PerryNovember 24, 2014

On page three of your Tampa Bay Times this morning is a quarter-page ad paid for by Americans for Prosperity calling on Republican Congressmen Gus Bilirakis and Vern Buchanan to oppose wind subsidies. The ad says that “Extending the wind energy handout will cost $13 billion over the next decade,” with one photo of a […]

Tag: PTC

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

Victor Crist fires back at Uber

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

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

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

Jeff Brandes says regulations for Uber could surface in special session

Email insights: Persistent (and popular) Uber sued by Hillsborough County

Jeff Brandes bill would reduce local choice of representation on Hillsborough County PTC

Koch Brothers group calls on Gus Bilirakis and Vern Buchanan to oppose wind subsidies