Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayJuly 8, 2015

On the heels of Uber‘s announcement of its planned end to operations in Broward County effective July 31, the San Francisco-based business is enlisting “ridesharing” fellow travelers to join them Wednesday night as Capital City commissioners debate an ordinance to regulate them in a manner similar to taxi companies. Just nine days ahead of the scheduled completion of a […]

Phil AmmannMay 6, 2015

As Uber grows in popularity, so does scrutiny of the ridesharing phenomenon, especially among those in Washington D.C. But that scrutiny has not stopped many on Capitol Hill from taking advantage of the emerging on-demand service. Despite concerns raised by some lawmakers over Uber’s handling of private customer data, the Center for Public Integrity found […]

Ryan RayMay 5, 2015

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The popular ridesharing app company Uber is appealing to the public for support in its effort to persuade lawmakers to include legislation to regulate its industry in the call for a Special Session. “We need your help to make sure the Legislature doesn’t go home again without taking up ridesharing legislation during the special session,” the […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Advocates for ride-sharing firms Lyft and Uber evidently did not reach an agreement this weekend with traditional taxi cab and limousine stakeholders, as a ride sharing policy bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz was temporarily postponed Monday for the second time in as many appearances on the House floor. HB 817 is generally considered a pro-Uber piece of legislation, but it recently took on […]

Ryan RayApril 27, 2015

Where things stand on a number of “legislative food fights” is a complicated question in today’s adversarial climate at the Capitol. The $4 billion chasm between the House and Senate budget proposals casts a shadow on every corner of legislative business, both appropriations and policy measures. “Bill aren’t just dying; they’re being massacred,” Rep. Frank Artiles told […]

Ryan RayApril 22, 2015

With a newfound emphasis on a ridesharing scourge sponsor Sen. David Simmons called “rogue drivers,” a bill to require greater insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft continued along its road to this afternoon in the Senate. Simmons’ SB 1298 – which also deals with short-term property rental companies like Airbnb, another facet of the emerging “sharing economy” – […]

Ryan RayApril 1, 2015

Though ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are getting most of the ink these days, you’d be a fool to sleep on the short-term rental aspect of the new so-called sharing economy. Companies like industry leader Airbnb are challenging zoning rules, raising the ire of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and raising questions about fundamental property rights. Such a complex issue […]

Ryan RayMarch 31, 2015

A ride-sharing insurance requirements bill that goes hand in hand with a broader effort to pass legislation permitting Uber across Florida made progress today, passing quickly and unanimously through the Senate Judiciary Committee early Tuesday evening. The proposal — SB 1298 — sponsored by Altamonte Springs Sen. David Simmons requires that app-based “transportation network companies” such as […]

Ryan RayMarch 26, 2015

A proposed ordinance to regulate Uber and other ride-sharing services that brought out more more than double the usual turnout — and triple the suits, quadruple the cab drivers — was postponed Wednesday night after a long and diametrical debate in the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposal, Ordinance No. 15-O-10AA, is considered by many to […]

Ryan RayFebruary 18, 2015

Speaker Steve Crisafulli told FloridaPolitics.com in a pre-session interview that he supports an ongoing effort on behalf of St. Petersburg state Sen. Jeff Brandes and once-and-future Tampa state Rep. Jamie Grant to pass a statewide framework to legalize Uber, Lyft and other ridesharing businesses, which are, as of now, operating in something of a legal gray space. Crisafulli joins a […]

Tag: ridesharing

After pointed Broward pull-out, Uber taking ride-hailing fight to Tallahassee

Uber political caucus grows, as does popularity on Capitol Hill

Uber wants ridesharing on agenda during Special Session

Legislature’s Uber regulation efforts stuck in neutral

The latest on 5 legislative food fights

Senate Uber insurance bill advances with new tweaks amid debate

Southern Strategy Group lands short-term rentals giant Airbnb

Uber bill cruises through Senate panel, will see amendment in Appropriations

Tallahassee City Commission defers action on Uber

Steve Crisafulli supportive of Uber legislation, says progress is all but inevitable