Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschSeptember 13, 2016

In a significant “get” for the state’s largest government affairs firm, Southern Strategy Group (SSG) will rep global ride-hailing service Uber for its local-level needs. The deal comes as ridesharing services heat up the news again. Most recently, in Tampa Bay, House Republican Leader Dana Young demanded in a letter that local regulators scuttle proposed rules that […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

The House sponsor of legislation this year that would have benefited Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services slammed the Senate’s inaction, saying the chamber wasn’t “interested in the free market.” State Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, talked to reporters Thursday evening with Uber public affairs director Colin Tooze and state Sen. Jeff […]

Jim RosicaMarch 10, 2016

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A leading state senator Thursday yanked his bill that would have benefited ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft, saying there was no compromise that pleased everyone involved, including the House. State Sen. David Simmons, the chamber’s Rules chairman, had worked on the bill (SB 1118) for months. It would have mandated minimum commercial insurance requirements […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 10, 2016

It’s the last call for ride-hailing legislation. A bill (SB 1118) to set minimum insurance requirements for ride-hailing companies, like Uber, is once again on the Senate’s special order calendar. So is a similar House proposal (HB 509) that addresses insurance requirements and deals with preemption concerns. With just days left in the legislative session, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorFebruary 9, 2016

Stare business and transportation leaders along with officials pushing comprehensive ride-hailing legislation launched the Floridians for Ridesharing Coalition Tuesday ahead of discussion slated for the Senate Judiciary committee. State Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Matt Gaetz both back legislation in their respective chambers that would regulate the industry through rules on insurance requirements for drivers. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 4, 2016

Want your state senator to support ride-booking legislation? Don’t worry, there’s a petition for that. On Thursday, Uber launched a statewide petition drive to urge Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and the Florida Senate to pass ride-booking legislation. The push comes about a week after the Florida House passed a bill (HB 509) that creates […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill regulating “transportation network companies” such as Uber and Lyft, and mandating insurance and other requirements. But the measure also includes a provision that may not find favor in the Senate: It vests regulatory power over the ride-booking services solely with the state, cutting out local bodies such […]

Tag: ride-booking

Southern Strategy Group snags Uber’s local lobbying contract

Matt Gaetz slams Senate over tanking Uber legislation

Uber bill makes last stand in Senate

Email Insights: Uber calls on customers to demand a Senate vote

Pro-business groups, lawmakers form ridesharing coalition

Uber launches petition drive to urge Senate to pass ride-booking legislation

House passes bill to regulate Uber, other ride-booking services