Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorDecember 12, 2018

The Tampa Bay Partnership’s 2019 Regional Competitiveness Report shows the Tampa Bay region has room for improvement in several areas — some surprising, others not so much. The report shows the region lagging behind others in job growth, wages, household income, transportation and transit and talent access. Companies, community organizations and government agencies can use […]

Mitch PerryDecember 6, 2017

Hillsborough County demographics are changing more and more every year, but two prestigious boards in the region are represented almost exclusively by white men (or white-led) organizations. Take the Tampa Bay Partnership. CEO Rick Homans and Dave Sobush, the agency’s director of policy and research, came before the Hillsborough County Commission Wednesday to present some […]

Mitch PerryMay 3, 2017

By a vote of 117-0, the Florida House passed a bill to revamp the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). With the Senate approving the bill last week, it now goes to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk. Although Plant City Republican Dan Raulerson sponsored it in the House, that chamber actually substituted his bill with the Senate version, sponsored by Clearwater […]

Mitch PerryApril 28, 2017

Officials had high hopes for a bill to reconfigure Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). Those same officials are now expressing some contentment following an amendment from the bill’s original sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala. The legislation would change TBARTA’s name from the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority to the Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority, and […]

Mitch PerryMarch 27, 2017

Legislation that would create a regional transit agency connecting four Tampa Bay-area counties breezed through committees in both the House and Senate last week. The proposed agency would be created in advance of a much anticipated Florida Dept. of Transportation transit study scheduled to be completed next year. “It’s a real project. It’s not just talk. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 1, 2017

Tampa Bay’s Legislative Delegation, with state lawmakers representing the area’s eight counties, spent two hours Wednesday in Clearwater discussing how to begin addressing the region’s myriad transportation issues. According to a new white paper prepared by the D.C.-based Enos Center for Transportation for the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional structure for transportation planning, operations and decision-making is […]

Mitch PerryJune 28, 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday unanimously overturned former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s conviction on corruption charges. In case you’ve forgotten, McDonnell and his wife Maureen accepted more than $175,000 in nice gifts, such as $6,000 Rolex watches and $20,000 in designer clothing from a dude named Jonnie Williams, who was swarming around the couple in […]

Mitch PerryMay 3, 2016

During the past Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature denied one of Gov. Rick Scott’s signature issues — a $250 economic incentives funding plan to encourage businesses to locate or expand in Florida. It was not only a blow to the governor’s ego (and list of priorities), but also disappointed those in the economic development camp, such […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 28, 2016

Port Tampa Bay plays a vital role in Florida’s industrial landscape, a fact that will be highlighted as part of a visit this week by the head of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, as part of the group’s 2016 State of Manufacturing Tour, will stop by Port Tampa […]

Peter SchorschDecember 3, 2015

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The Tampa Bay Partnership said Thursday that one of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s top staffers will join the group as its new vice president for public policy and advocacy after the New Year. Ryan Patmintra works as a regional director for Rubio and has also worked as the communications director for Arizona Republican Sen. Jon […]

Tag: Tampa Bay Partnership

Tampa Bay Partnership study shows lag in job growth, pay and transit

Hillsborough Commission Democrats question lack of diversity in 2 local organizations

TBARTA bill passes unanimously — now goes to Rick Scott for signature

Tampa Bay officials OK with TBARTA bill, now before full Senate

Tampa Bay Partnership on board with Jack Latvala-Dan Raulerson bill creating regional transit agency

Tampa Bay Legislative Delegation attempts to find answers for regional transportation fix

Mitch Perry Report for 6.28.16 — SCOTUS ruling on McDonnell case must delight compromised politicos across the land

Tampa Bay House Republicans bearish on Rick Scott’s economic incentives in 2017

Manufacturing trade group gives “State of Manufacturing” speech at Port Tampa Friday

Top Marco Rubio staffer to join Tampa Bay Partnership in 2016 as public policy VP